Spinach Arancini

Progresso® chicken broth and crispy panko bread crumbs. Surprise! There's a pocket of yummy melted cheese when you bite into these apps.

Prep Time

1:30

Hr:Mins

Total Time

3:00

Hrs:Mins

Makes

appetizers

tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

small onion, finely chopped

cloves garlic, finely chopped

3/4

cup uncooked Arborio rice

1/2

cup dry white wine

cups Progresso® reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton), heated

Freshly ground pepper to taste

cup chopped fresh spinach leaves

tablespoon butter

1/2

cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 24 (1/2-inch) cubes

1/2

cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2

cups Progresso® Italian style panko crispy bread crumbs

egg

tablespoon water

Vegetable oil for frying

Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper. In 3-quart saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook about 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add garlic; cook and stir 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Stir in rice and wine; cook 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until liquid is absorbed. Add 1 cup broth; cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until broth is absorbed. Add remaining 1 cup broth; cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until broth is absorbed.
Season with pepper. Stir in spinach, butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Spread onto cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour 30 minutes or until firm. (Mixture can be refrigerated overnight.)
On cookie sheet, shape rice mixture into 12x8-inch rectangle. Cut into 6 rows by 4 rows to make 24 squares. Place 1 mozzarella cheese cube in center of each square; shape rice around cheese cubes to make balls.
Place flour and bread crumbs in separate bowls. In another bowl, beat egg and water until blended. Coat each ball with flour, then dip into egg mixture and coat with bread crumbs. Place coated balls on unlined cookie sheet; refrigerate 30 minutes.
Line platter or shallow pan with paper towels. In 4-quart Dutch oven, heat about 2 inches vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry 8 balls at a time 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until golden brown. With slotted spoon, remove balls from Dutch oven to towel-lined platter to drain. Serve hot.

Makes 24 appetizers

Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker^® Kitchens

Special Touch

Add a few sprigs of Italian parsley to the serving platter.

Nutrition Information:

1 Serving (1 Appetizer)

Calories 130

(Calories from Fat 60),

Total Fat 7g

(Saturated Fat 2g,
Trans Fat 0g),

Cholesterol 15mg;
Sodium 220mg;
Total Carbohydrate 12g

(Dietary Fiber 0g,
Sugars 0g),

Protein 4g;

Percent Daily Value*:

Exchanges:

1 Starch;
0 Fruit;
0 Other Carbohydrate;
0 Skim Milk;
0 Low-Fat Milk;
0 Milk;
0 Vegetable;
0 Very Lean Meat;
0 Lean Meat;
0 High-Fat Meat;
1 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choices:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Spinach Arancini

Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker® Kitchens

Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker^® Kitchens