Rice Balls

morganb

Any idea on how to make them? DS1 is desperate for some (!) after Todd off Todd World had them in his lunch box today ... I'm not sure he'd go for the traditional Japanese kind, can you just basically roll up rice into a ball and grill it (I don't fry anything, can't stand the smell!!!). And could I roll the rice around a piece of chicken, for example? I don't want to be going out to buy special rice, my bogstandard Lidl Basmati will have to do.

Any advice please? Did do a quick search ...

Gingernutmeg

They're called onigiri, and I think you can just make them plain (although the link does say not with long grain rice, maybe it's not starchy enough to stick together?). They're often served wrapped with nori (sheets of seaweed) or flavoured with furikake, which are available in lots of different flavours, or filled with various pickles, but I'm sure they'd work 'plain'. To get them to stick, make them with hot/warm rice rather than cold

devils_advocate

Normally the rice balls are made with normal steamed rice, but you may have to buy the japanese variety so that its sticky. Are there any Asian shops near you? (I mean Japanese or Korean, etc, rather than Indian/ Pakistani). You may also be able to get onigiri moulds, which are triangular plastic shapes in which you squeeze the rice to keep it firm, and then press out the shape.

Another idea is to get a sushi mat, which is like a small bamboo table mat. lay it flat, put a piece of seaweed on it, and scoop rice on top. Put a filling in it (small cucumber slices are very Japanese) or my kids like canned tuna mixed with sweetcorn. Use the mat to roll the filling in the centre, surrounded by rice, with the seaweed tound the outside. Get a sharp knife, rinse it frequently in hot water, and cut the roll into slices.

Or alternatively, if you have sticky rice, roll it into small salls about 2cm in diameter. Put a blob of tomato ketchup on the top, and tell your kids they're bloodshot eyeballs!

odds-n-sods

to get the rice to stick together, you need to use sushi rice, not basmati, it isn#t starchy enough.

nick_b

odds-n-sods wrote: »

to get the rice to stick together, you need to use sushi rice, not basmati, it isn#t starchy enough.

I've made o-nigiri perfectly well with basmati As stated above, the key is to shape them when the rice is still warm. Another tip, wet your hands so the rice doesn't stick to them.

morganb

Am sticking to basmati ... need to know this isn't just a 'fad' before I fork out for more rice ... will let you know how I get on.

belfastgirl23

There are Italian versions of rice balls called Arancini. This website has a recipe just in case you want to check it out. They're usually fried unfortunately but are quite starchy and cheesy so very filling - maybe more the sort of thing kids might like?
http://recipeforsuccess.uk.com/recipes/arancini-deep-fried-risotto-balls
They are yummy

LizD_2

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

There are Italian versions of rice balls called Arancini. This website has a recipe just in case you want to check it out. They're usually fried unfortunately but are quite starchy and cheesy so very filling - maybe more the sort of thing kids might like?
http://recipeforsuccess.uk.com/recipes/arancini-deep-fried-risotto-balls
They are yummy

had something like that on honeymoon, but i think they had meat in them :eek: , not good as I'm veggie!

Gingernutmeg

I tried one of those Italian rice balls at Borough market - it was delicious (cheese filled deep fried rice, what's not to love lol) but it was stodgy, like eating a brick!!

morganb

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

There are Italian versions of rice balls called Arancini.
They are yummy

Yes, i think this is more the thing i was looking for - many thanks!

Katgoddess

You can use normal short grained pudding rice for sushi type recipes. Not authentic but does the job.