Recipe: Rice Cheese balls or Arancini

 So the other day I had cooked up a bunch of rice cause I wanted to make some rice pudding.  I over estimated how much I would need (what can I say... I can do the math but my cold-fogged head messed up).  Anyways, I had a whack of rice and wanted to lessen the amount of leftovers.  (ever been there??).

 I found Five Easy Recipes that use leftover rice and made what I call rice cheese balls, but what they call Arancini.

 Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked white rice, cooled
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 egg
  • 8 small cubes fresh mozzarella - if using store bought mozzarella let it sit out for a bit to get warm and soft.
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
  • Oil, for frying
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (didn't use)
Directions:
1. Place a large pot over medium heat, adding enough vegetable oil to rise 4 inches in the pot.
2. Combine the rice, Parmesan, and 1 egg in a medium bowl. Use your hands to thoroughly combine the mixture. 
3. Whisk together the remaining 2 eggs in a small bowl.
4. Measure the breadcrumbs into a small bowl.  I did not need the 1 cup, could probably get away with 1/2 cup.
5. Take a small portion of the mixture, forming a ball around a cube of mozzarella. 
6. Dip each arancini in the eggs and then in the breadcrumbs, shaking off any excess.  NOTE: to do this I placed each round on a spoon and then spooned the egg over top of it, turning as necessary.  DO NOT dip them.. they will completely fall apart on you.  Then roll them in breadcrumbs.
7. Once the oil reaches 375 degrees Fahrenheit, add 2 or 3 of the breaded arancini to the pot, frying them until golden brown and cooked throughout.
8. Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried arancini from the pot and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate. Immediately salt the arancini. Repeat the frying process with the remaining arancini.  I did not salt them but I dislike excess salt, hubby found it unnecessary, your tastes may vary.

 If you want, dip them in the marinara sauce.
If you are like hubby - seafood sauce is really great with them, or ketchup, or dijon mustard.  Threaten to scarf down all nine balls lovely wife made.  :)
If you are like the lad and mom - no sauce necessary..just eat up and enjoy and look for seconds.  :)

 They are best served warm.

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Prickly Pear Cactus

Welcome to week "P" of blogging through the alphabet, I'm so delighted that you have stopped by to visit with Amanda and I through this whole endeavor.  How are you doing with it eh?

 Anyways, recently my son attended the Project fair for our local homeschool co-op.   His project was all about his cactus.   

 Part of the gig was for children to answer questions about their presentation, and one of the questions asked was "does Canada have any native cacti species."   The lad hadn't researched that idea so had no clue, people offered guesses, most saying no it didn't, but I did google and showed the lad the response.  

 Did you know we have FOUR cacti species?   In British Columbia, Manitoba and in Ontario?   I KNOW!!!  A total shocker!!!

 In Ontario we have the Eastern Prickly Pair Cactus...and low and behold guess what!

 On Sunday we had a preaching engagement up in Kingsville which is REALLY close to Point Pelee.. the home of the Eastern Prickly Pear so we actually got to see some!  I know!  AH!!!!   My boy child was SO delighted!!!
It could be found everywhere it seemed, but the lad did some research on it when we got home and found out that its on the Ontario Endangered Species list.   Habitat loss and human interference play a big role in it's demise, with invasive species NOT helping matters at all.  

 So if you see it growing in Ontario LEAVE IT ALONE!!!   Don't trample it, don't dig it up, just enjoy it in it's native environment and pull out those nasty invasive plants that want to crowd it out!

 Let it enjoy the sandy dunes, and open sun, and let it flower.  Let it fruit and spread it seeds (even if the fruit is edible).   Just let it do it's thing and help it along instead of hindering it. 

 Let other boys, like my son, be delighted in discovering cacti in Ontario!!!!

 So what'd'ya say... do you have a "P" post?   Come on in and join us won't you?   We're delighted to have you stop in.  :)
A Net In Time Schooling

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Net in Time helps fuel this blog and our homeschool - thank you! ©2006-2017 A Net In Time. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. A Net In Time/
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