Japanese Rice Balls with Cheese
Description
This appetizer is quick and easy to make. I suggest making Japanese rice balls with cheese. I will use Parmesan, but it can easily be replaced with any similar cheese that melts well when heated. The dish has a bright, interesting flavor—I recommend trying it! The rice balls are sure to win you over and will definitely add variety to any everyday menu. Serve them on their own, with soy sauce or any other sauce to your taste. Serve with herbs and sauce.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare all the necessary ingredients.
- 2
Step 2
Cook the rice in lightly salted water; it should be tender but not mushy. Finely dice the bacon and fry until crisp. Combine the cooked rice and bacon in a deep bowl or plate.
- 3
Step 3
Add butter, chopped parsley, and soy sauce.
- 4
Step 4
Season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix everything well.
- 5
Step 5
Now you need to shape the onigiri. To do this, put a little rice on a piece of plastic wrap; I used a baking bag. Place a small piece of cheese in the center.
- 6
Step 6
Lift the edges of the plastic wrap and enclose the filling. Shape into a ball or the traditional onigiri shape — a triangle. This amount of ingredients yields 2–3 pieces, depending on the desired size.
- 7
Step 7
Grease the pan with vegetable oil and place the remaining cheese, grated on the finest grater, spaced apart. For one serving, 2–3 pinches will be enough.
- 8
Step 8
Place rice balls on top of the cheese.
- 9
Step 9
Place the pan over medium heat. Let the cheese melt and develop a crisp golden crust. Flip and cook the second side until the rice becomes slightly crispy.
- 10
Step 10
Japanese rice balls with cheese are ready!
- 11
Step 11
They can be served cold as well, but they are especially good hot or warm, while the filling is soft and stretchy. Serve with any sauce or on their own.