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Creamy Spinach & Cheese Rice Balls with Homemade Garlic Aioli

A delicious take on classic rice balls, filled with creamy spinach and cheese, served with a flavorful homemade garlic aioli dipping sauce.
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Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup Arborio rice cooked
  • 2 cups baby spinach chopped
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs for coating
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Garlic Aioli

  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 0.25 teaspoon paprika smoked

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Heat butter in a pan over medium heat and sauté chopped spinach until wilted. Let it cool slightly.
  • In a bowl, combine cooked Arborio rice, sautéed spinach, Mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and beaten egg. Season with salt and black pepper. Mix well.
  • Shape the mixture into small balls and roll in panko breadcrumbs until fully coated.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Fry rice balls in batches until golden brown and crispy.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and paprika for the aioli sauce.

Serving

  • Serve the rice balls warm, accompanied by the garlic aioli for dipping.

Notes

You can substitute baby spinach with kale or swiss chard for a different flavor profile.