Provolone Picante

Serves 6

Ingredients

30 g Butter, coarsely chopped
For coating: Plain flour
2 Eggs, lightly beaten
250 g Fine soft white breadcrumbs, for coating
For deep-frying: Mediterranean Gourmet Sunflower oil
To serve: Baby basil leaves and aioli

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a saucepan over low heat, add onion, stir occasionally until tender (3-5 minutes), add rice, stir to coat, then add stock, little by little, until rice is slightly overcooked and stock is absorbed (18 -20 minutes). Add thyme and butter and stir until creamy (1-2 minutes), remove from heat. Meanwhile, finely grate 15 g provolone, add to rice mixture, spread over a tray and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate to chill (1-1½ hours).

2. Cut remaining provolone into 5 mm cubes and set aside. Shape walnut-sized balls of rice mixture with your hands, then push a provolone cube into centre of each, pressing rice around to enclose completely. Roll rice balls in flour, then beaten egg and finally breadcrumbs, shaking off excess in between, ensuring they are completely coated. Refrigerate on a tray to chill (30 minutes).

3. Preheat oil in a deep saucepan or deep-fryer to 200C. Deep-fry arancini in batches, turning occasionally, until golden (3 -5 minutes; be careful as hot oil may spit). Scatter with baby basil and serve hot with aioli.