Rice Balls (Arancini Di Riso)

1/2 lb. uncooked rice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound ground steak
salt and pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, well beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
2 cups salad or peanut oil

Cook rice in 2 qts. boiling water until kernels crush easily between thumb and finger. Drain and cool slightly.

While rice is cooking, brown meat in oil over medium flame. Season with salt and pepper, add grated cheese, and blend well. Cool.

Place 2 tablespoons cooked rice in the palm of the hand. Make a well in rice and put in 1 heaping tablespoon of meat mixture. Mold rice around meat into a ball. Dip balls in beaten eggs and roll in crumbs.

Fry in deep hot oil until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes. Do not fry more than 3 at a time.