What to Serve with Arancini Balls for Authentic Italian Flavours
Italian food never fails to satisfy us with its authentic and distinctive flavours. There are many types of Italian dishes that can be your comfort food for any occasion, including arancini balls. These golden crispy rice balls can be served as an appetiser, main dish, or snack, but the large version is typically served as a lunch option in Italy. But what to serve with arancini balls? How can it complement their rich flavours and elevate the dining experience?
What Are Arancini?
Arancini are deep-fried rice balls with cheese filling (usually mozzarella) originating from Sicily. The name “arancini” comes from the Italian word for “little oranges,” referring to their round shape and golden color once fried. What gives arancini their rich flavour is the filling inside, which includes leftover risotto and cheese. With the softness of the rice balls and the fillings inside, they are fried until the outside is crisp, providing a very crunchy and pleasant texture when consumed.
What to Serve with Arancini Balls?
Marinara Sauce
Although arancini, without condiments, already offers a deep, flavorful taste, a dipping sauce will further enhance its flavour and provide a new dining experience. One dipping sauce that is a must-try is marinara sauce, a classic sauce often considered the best pasta sauce. However, marinara sauce adds a tangy, savoury flavour that comes from tomato-based sauce, garlic, herbs, and a touch of olive oil. Therefore, it blends well with arancini balls, making it a crowd-pleasing side dish.
Eggplant Parmigiana
Arancini is a very versatile Italian food, making it a perfect match for many complements such as eggplant parmigiana. With the texture of thin slices of eggplant and mozzarella, it can create a new flavour in arancini that is satisfying and balanced.
Tomato Bruschetta
Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, basil, and olive oil always delivers a fresh, complementary flavor to arancini balls. The creamy taste of arancini and the fresh taste of bruschetta combine to create a unique dish that can be enjoyed at any time. Therefore, tomato bruschetta with arancini balls is a favorite of many people, especially those who prefer fresh food.
Caprese Salad
For a healthier way to enjoy arancini balls, serve them with a caprese salad as a side! Not only does it provide a simple flavour, but it also looks elegant when paired with deep-fried arancini. The combination of creamy mozzarella and ripe tomatoes adds a delightful lightness to the meal.
Rich Tomato Sauce
In addition to marinara sauce, which can add flavour to arancini, you can try a rich tomato sauce as an alternative dipping sauce. This is especially true if you use slow-cooked tomato sauce, which retains the tomatoes' fresh taste. Making rich tomato sauce is not difficult, as it simply requires simmering with herbs and a dash of olive oil.
Pita Bread & Hummus
For a slightly different twist, serve arancini balls with pita bread and hummus. The soft, warm pita adds a comforting, pillowy texture, while the creamy hummus provides a savoury, earthy flavour. This combination offers a Mediterranean flair that complements the Italian-inspired arancini perfectly.
Creamy Polenta
Creamy polenta, made from cornmeal and simmered to perfection with butter and cheese, is another excellent accompaniment to arancini. The smooth, buttery texture of the polenta complements the crunchy exterior of the arancini, while the dish's richness balances the savoury flavours of the rice balls.
Grilled Asparagus
Grilled asparagus brings a smoky, slightly charred flavour that pairs well with arancini balls. The fresh, tender spears add a touch of bitterness and crunch, cutting through the richness of the arancini and offering a well-rounded, refreshing contrast to the dish’s deep-fried textures.
Cheese Platter
A carefully curated cheese platter is an excellent accompaniment to arancini, offering a variety of textures and flavours to complement the dish. A selection of soft cheeses, such as brie or ricotta, along with sharp, aged cheeses like pecorino, enhances the arancini's creamy interior and adds a sophisticated touch to the meal.
Pesto Pasta
Not only can dipping sauce be the best combination for arancini balls, but pesto pasta can also be a good complement. Because arancini offers a rich, flavourful taste, it can enhance the overall flavour of pesto pasta, which has a light flavour. The aromatic pesto sauce pairs beautifully with the crispy rice balls, while the pasta adds a hearty element to the meal that feels quintessentially Italian.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A refreshing salad, such as a classic Caprese salad, is the perfect accompaniment to arancini. The fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil add a light, crisp contrast to the deep-fried rice balls, creating a balanced, flavourful meal. Alternatively, a simple mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can also complement the richness of arancini.
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The best sauce to serve with arancini is a rich, flavourful marinara. Its tangy tomato base, infused with garlic and herbs, perfectly complements the crispy and creamy rice balls. You could also opt for a rich tomato sauce, or for a twist, serve arancini with a creamy pesto or even a tangy balsamic glaze.
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Common fillings for arancini include ragù (slow-cooked meat sauce), mozzarella, peas, and sometimes mushrooms or eggplant. Traditional arancini are often filled with a hearty meat sauce and melty cheese, but variations with vegetables, such as spinach or mushrooms, are also popular. These fillings create a rich, comforting contrast to the rice's crispy, golden exterior.
Conclusion
Arancini balls are a versatile and delightful Italian dish that pairs beautifully with a variety of sides and sauces. Whether you opt for a classic marinara sauce, a fresh Caprese salad, or a rich tomato sauce, there’s no shortage of options to elevate your meal. Each side adds its own unique flavour and texture, creating a balanced and authentic Italian dining experience.
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