Arancini or arancine are traditional Sicilian fried rice balls coated with breadcrumbs and usually filled with ragù (meat sauce), tomato sauce, mozzarella, and/or peas. The main type of arancina sold in Sicilian cafes are arancini con ragù, which typically consist of meat in a tomato sauce, rice, and mozzarella. Many cafes also offer arancini con burro (butter), or specialty arancini, such as arancini con funghi (mushrooms), con pistacchi (pistachios), or con melanzane (aubergine).

Arancini Italian Rice Balls recipe – 107 calories

Ingredients:
1/2 cup arborio rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 onion, chopped finely
1/2 cup dry white wine
40 g ham, chopped finely
1/2 cup frozen peas
100 g mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 egg, lightly beaten
plain flour
1 tablespoon milk
1 egg, lightly beaten (extra)
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
vegetable oil, for deep frying

Preparation:
1. In a medium pan, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and keep hot.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil, then add the garlic and onion and cook stirring, until the onion is soft but not coloured.
3. Add the rice and cook stirring through for about 2 minutes (until the rice is translucent).
4. Add the wine and stir through until the liquid has evaporated.
5. Add about 1/3 cup of the hot stock, and stir over low-medium heat until the liquid is absorbed.
6. Repeat until all the stock is used (about 25 minutes).
7. Stir in the ham and peas, adding salt and pepper to taste.
8. Remove from the heat and gently fold in the parmesan cheese.
9. Transfer the risotto to a bowl and let cool.
10. Chop the mozzarella into 18 pieces.
11. Stir the egg into the risotto.
12. Roll 2 level tablespoons of risotto into a ball; press a piece of mozzarella into the center of each ball; roll to enclose.
13. Toss the balls in flour, shake away the excess. Dip into the combined milk and extra egg, and coat in breadcrumbs.
14. In a deep saucepan, heat the vegetable oil and deep fry the arancini in batches until they are heated through and browned.
15. Drain on absorbant paper. Serve hot.

Servings: 1 (18 rice balls)

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 107
Total fat: 4 g
Cholesterol: 31.6 mg
Sodium: 178.2 mg
Total carbs: 10.8 g
Fiber: 0.6 g
Protein: 5.6 g
Weight Watchers points: 2

Photo credit: artfulgourmetnyc

You might also like these low-calorie rice recipes:

• Cinnamon Rice Pudding recipe – 155 calories
• Spicy Chicken Rice Soup recipe – 193 calories
• Salsa Rice recipe – 101 calories
• Royal Thai Rice recipe – 200 calories

Cinnamon Rice Pudding recipe – 155 calories

Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces pudding rice
1 cinnamon stick
1 ounce caster sugar
2 teaspoons butter
2 3/4 cups low-fat milk

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 300° F (150° C).
2. Place the rice, milk and sugar in an oven-proof dish.
3. Top with knobs of butter and add the cinnamon stick.
4. Place the dish in the oven (uncovered), stir once after about 30 minutes and leave for another 1 1/2 hours.
5. Serve hot or cold, according to your preference.

Servings: 4

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 155
Calories from fat: 32
Total fat: 3.6g
Cholesterol: 13mg
Total carbs: 24.5g
Fiber: 0.3g
Protein: 6.4g
WW points: 3

You might also like these rice recipes:

• Spicy Chicken Rice Soup recipe – 193 calories
• Salsa Rice recipe – 101 calories
• Royal Thai Rice recipe – 200 calories

This is a delicious soup that’s very easy to make – you can put it on the table in less than half an hour. It’s a great soup for a chilly night… just try it!

Spicy Chicken Rice Soup recipe – 193 calories

Ingredients:
2 (6 ounce) packages Southwestern chicken strips (diced and fully cooked)
3 cups cooked rice
3 (14 1/2 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can whole kernel corn (undrained)
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies (undrained)
1 (16 ounce) can V8 vegetable juice
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 1/2 cups salsa
2 tablespoons minced cilantro (fresh or dried)

Optional toppings
additional minced cilantro (fresh or dried)
additional chopped green onion
coarsely crushed tortilla chips
shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese

Preparation:
1. In a large pot, combine all the 9 soup ingredients.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat; cover and simmer for about 15 minutes (or until heated through).
4. Garnish with your preferred topping (optional).

Servings: 10

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 193
Calories from fat: 22
Total fat: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 23mg
Total carbs: 30.3g
Fiber: 2.3g
Protein: 13.5g
WW points: 4

Photo credit: Bayhill

You might also like these chicken recipes:

• Cilantro Lime Chicken recipe – 188 calories
• Oven Fried Chicken recipe – 178 calories
• Grilled Caribbean Chicken Breasts recipe – 172 calories

Very easy and tasty side dish that can be served alongside tacos, enchiladas and taco lasagna.

Salsa Rice recipe – 101 calories

Ingredients:
1/2 cup long grain rice
1 cup chunky salsa
1 cup water

Preparation:
1. In a small saucepan, mix the rice, salsa and water.
2. Bring to a boil, cover the saucepan with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
3. Simmer, stirring a few times, for about 20-25 minutes (until the rice is tender).

Servings: 4

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 101
Calories from fat: 2
Total fat: 0.3g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Total carbs: 22.5g
Fiber: 1.3g
Protein: 2.6g
WW points: 2

Photo credit: Wolf Göttin

Tags: recipe, cooking, diet, calories, salsa, rice, side dish, Mexican, Tex-Mex

Royal Thai Rice recipe – 200 calories

Ingredients:
1 cup Mahatma Jasmine rice
2 fresh red chilies, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup roasted peanuts
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon minced gingerroot
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons lime juice

Preparation:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the Mahatma Jasmine rice, green onions, margarine, chicken broth, chiles, cilantro, ginger root and turmeric.
2. Bring to a gentle boil; cover.
3. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
4. Fold in the peanuts and lime juice.
5. Serve hot.

Servings: 6

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 200
Calories from fat: 64
Total fat: 7.2g
Cholesterol: 5mg
Total carbs: 29.6g
Protein: 6g

Photo credit: PaulaG

Technorati tags: recipe, cooking, diet, calories, Thai, Asian, rice, side dish