Supplì al telefono are a rice croquette fritter found on the antipasti menu in pizzerie all across the city.
The rice is cooked with a bit of tomato sauce, sometimes with ground beef, and let to cool.
Then, it is molded into an egg-like shape, and a piece of mozzarella is pushed into the middle of it before it is breaded and fried.
When the supplì is broken open, the melted mozzarella stretches from one piece to another, resembling the cord on an old-fashioned telephone.
From the courtesy of Due Spaghetti
Ingredients
for 8 supplì
500 grams Arborio, Vialone Nano or Carnaroli rice
1 large can of whole tomatoes (500 grams or 28 0z)
Ground beef, approximately 250 grams or 1/2 lb.
Onion
Olive oil
Salt
Fresh mozzarella
4 eggs
Breadcrumbs
Flour
Vegetable, peanut or olive oil for frying
Directions
Prepare the sauce by dicing 1/4 of a small-medium onion, and sautéing in olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and brown it slowly, using a spatula to crumble the meat finely. Add the tomatoes, passing them through a food mill. Add a splash of water or red wine if too thick, and allow it to simmer for at least 45 minutes. Salt to taste.
Cook the rice in abundant boiling water with a handful of salt tossed in, just as you would cook pasta, according to the cooking time on the package. When the rice is done, drain off the water using a strainer. Add the rice to the sauce and stir well until it is evenly coated. Place onto a baking tray or into a large baking dish and spread it out in order to facilitate cooling.
Once the rice is cool, you are ready to assemble and fry the supplì. Add your oil several inches deep into a pan suitable for frying, and place it over medium heat.
Fill a dish with flour, another with breadcrumbs, and a final one with the eggs, which you will beat slightly. Cut 8 small pieces of mozzarella to stuff inside the supplì.
Wet you hands to make it easier to handle the rice.
With your hands, scoop enough rice to make an egg-sized supplì.
Mold it into an oblong shape, and using your thumb make an indent in the center. Fill the indent with a piece of mozzarella, and then enclose the mozzarella with rice so that it is tucked well inside.
Dust the supplì in flour, dip it into the egg and rotate it so that it is well-coated, and then finally roll it in the breadcrumbs.
Some recipes suggest repeating a second coating of egg and breadcrumbs.
We tried it both ways and preferred a single layer, but you may wish to experiment and decide which option works best for you.
Gently place each supplì into the hot oil and fry until it takes on a rich brown hue. Remove from the oil and set on absorbent paper towels.
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