Mozzarella-Stuffed Arancini

1 1/2 cups instant brown rice
4 green onions, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1/3 cup grated Romano cheese
2 cups breadcrumbs
16 marinated fresh mozzarella balls, drained, oil reserved (1 12oz container)
1 28oz jar marinara sauce

1) Combine rice, 1 whole green onion, garlic and 3 1/2 cups water in saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until all liquid has been absorbed and rice is soft and slightly sticky. Remove from heat, transfer to bowl, and cool. Remove green onion, and discard.
2) Preheat oven to 425F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or coat with cooking spray. Chop remaining green onions finely. Fold eggs, parsley, cheese and onions into rice. Spread breadcrumbs on large plate.
3) Place 1/4 cup rice mixture in palm of hand. Shape into tangerine-sized ball around one mozzarella ball. Roll in breadcrumbs, and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining rice, mozzarella and breadcrumbs. Drizzle arancini with reserved oil, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until outsides are crisp and browned.
4) Warm marinara sauce, and ladle into bottom of large serving dish. Place arancini on top of sauce, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately.


Review: I found this recipe awhile back and thought it'd be an easier version of the risotto balls that my CT family loves so much.  They're so labor intensive (though Teresa makes it look so easy!) and I just couldn't duplicate it.  Well, these were not an easy replacement.  The recipe appears flawed, as it was too much water for my instant rice to soak up, even after 40 minutes!  I drained it, but I still couldn't get it to adhere to the rest of the ingredients.  I ended up with 9 lumps (how did Vegetarian Times make 16?) that had to be dusted with bread crumbs, as they wouldn't firm up enough to roll through the bread crumbs.  They were tasty once they were finished, and I served them with a cabernet marinara sauce (Classico).  But, my kitchen was TRASHED and I didn't get to eat for almost two hours after I started the meal.  Of course, in the meantime, I was snacking on the mozzarella balls.  We bought the 40oz container from Costco and they're absolutely amazing.  Yum.