Baked Green Rice Balls

Baked Green Rice Balls

Few notes. I found some amazing cherry mozzarellas the other day at the Chelsea market here in NYC. They’re the best because they fit in the middle of the rice ball perfectly. If you can’t find those at your local grocery store just buy a whole mozzarella.

Also make sure that the rice is cold and sticky, it will make the process of making the rice balls much easier.

Ingredients

Makes 14 rice balls

3 cups / 1 lb / 453 gr cooked brown rice

1 egg lightly beaten

½ cup / 3.5 oz / 100 gr Parmesan cheese, grated

1 cup / 4.5 oz / 128 gr frozen peas

1 medium onion, chopped

6 fresh mint leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried mint)

1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

1 tablespoon olive oil

fresh ground pepper to taste

1 cup / 7 oz / 200 gr whole wheat panko breadcrumbs (you won’t use them all)

14 cherry mozzarellas (or 1 fresh mozzarella cut into cubes)

Directions

In a pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper and saute’ until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the frozen peas and cook for 5 minutes, adding 2 tablespoons of water half way through.

Remove from heat, transfer to a plastic beaker and puree with an immersion blender. You can also blend it in a regular blender.

In a large bowl combine the rice, egg, Parmesan cheese, and peas pesto.

In a large plate combine panko breadcrumbs with ½ teaspoon of salt and some black pepper.

Using an ice-cream scoop (or a regular tablespoon), form a ball of the rice mixture. Insert a cherry mozzarella (or a mozzarella bites) and form the ball around it again, using your hands.

Gently drop the rice ball in the breadcrumbs mixture and coat well.

Repeat until all the rice balls are formed (allow to sit until the oven has reached the desired temperature).

Heat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly brush/ grease with olive oil.

Gently drop the rice balls onto the baking sheet and bake for about 20 or until the rice balls have a nice golden color.

Serve hot and if you end up with leftovers (very unlikely) just reheat them in the microwave for a minute to get the mozzarella oozing effect again