Arancinette with salmon and pistachio

Introduction to the recipe

These arancine in mini-format lend an extra-special touch to any Sicilian appetiser buffet worthy of the name! Often, for the sake of convenience, they are prepared by mixing the filling directly into the rice. However, if you are using specially-made moulds, filling even these arancinette while keeping their shape intact becomes a simple task.

Given that the salmon and pistachio filling is particularly rich, it is especially well-suited to be used in arancinette. Indeed, in this smaller format, it is more enjoyable, as its flavour remains well-balanced and does not become too overpowering.

However, if you wish to enhance the taste further, you can add some finely chopped pistachios to the rice.

Gourmet

Easy

30 grams

Fish

Ingredients for about 12 arancini

For rice:

500 grams of rice ("Roma" and "Originario" rices, mixed in equal doses)
1.1 liter of vegetable stock
2 bags of saffron
10 grams of salt
60 grams of butter
100 g of pistachios grain

For the finish:

100 gr of flour
180 ml of water
2 eggs
150 gr of bread crumbs

For the filling:

200 gr of smoked salmon
100 gr of minced pistachios
30 grams of butter

For the bechamel sauce:

400 ml of milk
40 g of butter
40 gr of flour
nutmeg
salt, black pepper

Preparation of rice and filling

Rice

How to prepare the rice:

In a saucepan, put the broth, the butter, the saffron and the salt
When the stock is boiling, add the rice and mix well
Cover and cook over low heat until the rice absorbs all the broth and is cooked but al dente
When cooked, add the pistachios grain, stir, pour the rice on a cold surface and spread evenly to allow rapid cooling
When the rice is cool down, it is ready to prepare the arancini

Important

It is important to let the rice dry well during cooking. It should not be too hot or too wet, or it could stick to the mold.

For more informations about rice, Click here.

The filling

Prepare the beshamel:

melt 40 g of butter in a saucepan;
when the butter is melted, remove the saucepan from the heat;
add 40 gr of flour mixing with a whisk and add 500 ml of milk poured in flush to prevent lumps from forming;
put back on the stove and cook over low heat until the cream thickens, mixing continuously to ensure a smooth and homogeneous consistency;
adjust salt and pepper and complete with the nutmeg;
turn off the heat and let it cool

Prepare the filling:

Melt the butter in a small pan. Brown the smoked salmon, chopped into small pieces beforehand, over high heat for a few minutes, then let it cool
Mix the béchamel sauce with the salmon and pistachios

How to shape the arancini

1 - Fill the base of the Arancinotto with rice and use a spoon to pack it down firmly.

2 - Put the lid on the base and insert the plunger as far as it will go.

3 - Remove the plunger and spoon your filling into the central hole, packing it in with a teaspoon to ensure there is a generous amount.

4 - Cover the top with a thin layer of rice and press it down using the other end of the plunger.

5 - Take the cover back off of the Arancinotto and gently remove your arancino.

How to frying the arancini

The finishing touch

Put the arancini in the batter and in the bread crumbs as follows:

In a bowl, place the flour
Add the egg and water and beat well with whips
When the batter is smooth and dense, pass the arancini
Immediately after having passed them in the batter, pass the arancini in bread crumbs

Frying

Fry in plenty of oil until golden brown, to ensure your arancini fry up perfectly, use one of the following oils: peanut oil, olive oil, or palm oil.
Heat the oil to the ideal temperature, 190°C, either in a frying pan or by setting the temperature on your deep fryer.
If using a pan, you can make sure that the oil has reached the proper temperature by dropping in a bread crumb. If it sizzles, then the oil is ready.
Immerse the arancini gently in the oil, only a few at a time, so as to prevent the temperature of the oil from falling too low.
When they are done, place the arancini on absorbent paper, then serve.
Serve the arancini with sauce on the side.

For more information about Finishing and Frying, Click here.

Enjoy your arancini!

Varation

You can mix the salmon and pistachios directly into the rice and serve these mini-arancine without a filling.

Bonus idea

Given that these arancinette are in finger-food format, they can be served with cocktail sauce for dipping

In Italy, the pistachio (Pistacia vera) is grown only in Sicily, chiefly in the Bronte area, where it is the principal economic resource. Thanks to its distinctive characteristics, this pistachio obtained D.O.P. (Protected Designation of Origin) status in 2009. Does the Bronte pistachio lend a dish a certain poetry? Yes, and more than one might imagine. The surname Brontë, belonging to the English writers Emily, Anne and Charlotte, was chosen by their father Patrick (it had originally been Brunty or Prunty) in honour of Horatio Nelson, whom King Ferdinand had named duke of the town of Bronte by the slopes of Mt. Etna.

What do you think of the recipe? Send us the photos!