Arancini with Radicchio and Taleggio cheese

Introduction to the recipe
Radicchio and taleggio is a typical pairing in a number of Northern Italian regions. Taleggio is, in fact, a cheese that is Lombard in origin. Although it takes its name from the Val Taleggio near Bergamo, it is today produced in several areas in the regions of Veneto and Piedmont.
Radicchio, on the other hand, is typical of Veneto, as are many of the most tasty traditional recipes made using this leafy crop, including the risotto with radicchio and taleggio from which these arancini draw their inspiration. With just the right degree of tangy savour, they make a perfect cocktail-hour treat, to be enjoyed with a glass of fine wine.
From the world
Easy
80 grams
Vegetarian
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
- 60-100 grams of butter
For the finish:
- 100 gr of flour
- 180 ml of water
- 2 eggs
- 150 gr of bread crumbs
For the filling:
-
1 red radicchio
-
150 grams of taleggio
-
extra virgin olive oil
-
sale, 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, 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
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
- Wash the radicchio and slice it into very thin strips
- In a pan, heat a drizzle of oil and then wilt the radicchio for a few minutes over high heat
- Remove from the heat and let it cool
- Chop the cheese into small cubes
- Mix the taleggio with the radicchio
How to shape the arancini
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
For even more flavourful arancini, mix a few strips of radicchio into the rice.
Bonus idea
Add some finely chopped walnuts to the breading. Their flavour is a perfect complement to the taleggio and radicchio.

Another name for this arancino could be the Lombardy-Venetian. However, when most people think of Lombardy-Venetia, what comes to mind is a pre-Risorgimento past of waltzes and moustachios alla Emperor Franz Joseph. The Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia was established by the Congress of Vienna following a complicated debate, during which the name “Austrian Italy” was also considered, but in the end the Solomonic decision was taken to join the area’s two historic names together. However, mightn’t it have been better (or more ‘tasteful’) to call it the Kingdom of Taleggio-Radicchio?
What do you think of the recipe? Send us the photos!
- Tags: From the world Vegetarian
- Arancinotto Staff