GETTING READY

1. Preparation

   The golden-orange arancini has soft rice with melted cheese and a filling of minced meat and vegetables in tomato sauce hidden under a crispy crust. The classic version of the Italian dish with meat ragout requires patience in preparing all the components, but it is worth it. Try to make sure that the arancini are evenly round and evenly fried on all sides.
   
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STEP 1

1. Prepping Ingredients

   Cut the onion and red onion into 3-4 mm cubes. Cut the carrot and celery stalk into approximately the same size pieces. Finely grate the Parmesan.
   
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STEP 2

1. Infusing Saffron and Preparing Water for Arancini

   Boil 2 cups of water. Combine saffron and 1 tbsp of hot water in a cup or bowl. Leave until the mass is needed. Let the rest of the water cool to a lukewarm state.
   
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STEP 3

1. Frying Onions to Golden Perfection for Arancini

   Pour 1 tbsp of vegetable oil into a frying pan and heat it over medium heat. Drop the chopped onion into the hot oil. Fry it, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until light golden brown.
   
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STEP 4

1. Frying Celery and Carrot with Onions for Arancini Filling

   Add the celery and carrot pieces to the onion. Fry everything together, stirring, for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
   
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STEP 5

1. Adding Flavor to the Vegetable Mixture for Arancini

   Place the mince in the pan with the vegetables. Fry it, stirring constantly and breaking up large lumps with a spatula, for about 6-7 minutes, until the meat changes color and begins to brown.
   
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STEP 6

1. Mixing Tomatoes, Peas, and Seasonings into the Minced Meat

   Add chopped tomatoes in their own juice and tomato paste to the minced meat. Add green peas, ⅓ tsp. salt and ⅕ tsp. ground black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly.
   
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STEP 7

1. Slow-Cooking Mince and Vegetables for Arancini

   Reduce the heat under the pan to low. Cover it with a lid and simmer the mince with vegetables for 30-35 minutes. Then remove it from the heat and let it cool a little.
   
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STEP 8

1. Enhancing Flavor for Arancini Filling

   Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a second pan. Cook the sliced ​​red onion over medium heat, stirring constantly, until softened and browned, 3 to 4 minutes.
   
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STEP 9

1. Toasting Arborio Rice with Caramelized Red Onion for Enhanced Flavor

   Add arborio rice to red onion. Mix everything and heat for 1-2 minutes.
   
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STEP 10

1. Infusing Saffron Flavor and Allowing Absorption

   Pour the saffron solution and 1.5 cups of warm water into the rice. Stir and wait until the water boils. Cover the pan with a lid, remove it from the heat, let the rice stand, and absorb the water for 20 minutes.
   
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STEP 11

1. Mixing Rice with Parmesan, Seasonings, and Butter for Arancini

   Transfer the rice to a bowl, add grated Parmesan, ⅓ tsp salt and ⅕ tsp ground black pepper. Add butter. Mix everything well and leave until completely cool.
   
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STEP 12

1. Egg Mixture and Breadcrumbs for Arancini Coating

   Pour the remaining warm water into a clean bowl, break the eggs into it, and add flour. Stir with a whisk so that there are no dry lumps left in the batter. Pour the breadcrumbs into another bowl.
   
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STEP 13

1. Creating Rice Cakes with Savory Filling

   Take the rice mass with a tablespoon, and shape it into a flat cake. Put 2-3 teaspoons of minced meat with vegetables in the center of the cake. Connect the edges of the rice cake over the filling, and trim the product to form a ball. Form all the arancini in the same way.
   
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STEP 14

1. Dipping in Batter and Rolling in Breadcrumbs

   Dip each of the resulting rice balls in the egg-flour batter one by one, then roll them in breadcrumbs. Place the pieces on a board or plate.
   
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STEP 15

1. Achieving a Crispy Golden Crust

   Pour vegetable oil into a deep saucepan and let it heat up over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and drop 3-4 rice balls into the oil.

    

   Fry the balls, turning them occasionally with a slotted spoon, for 5-6 minutes until golden-orange crust. Fry all the blanks in the same way.
   
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MAKE AN IMPRESSION

1. Pairing Arancini with a Fresh Vegetable and Herb Salad

   Serve arancini with a salad of fresh vegetables and herbs.
   
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