Sunday I posted about recipe inspiration and I’m trying to get back to cooking before this baby comes. I’ve been throwing together meals that are so random and while they taste good, it’s starting to get old. Plus, my main food groups now are bread, pasta and cheese…
I cannot wait to get back to actually wanting salads and veggies. Right now I’m stuffing them down my throat because I know I have to. Feels like I’m right back in the first tri I tell ya.
Sunday night I decided I wanted to make something good for dinner, so instead of consulting the list I had just blogged, I went to Giada’s Everyday Italian. I know most of the recipes are in the book are easy, fail proof and tasty. It’s my kind of no fuss cooking.
I went with her rice balls and veggie casserole. The veggie casserole I made exactly, except I didn’t use any onions. It was easy to put together and very tasty. It doesn’t stay together super well, but it’s not meant to.
The rice balls, I made some changes to because I went based off of what I had in my pantry. (Use what you have!) These were delicious. Yes, they are lightly pan fried, but really every once in awhile, it’s fine. You probably could bake them too. If you try that let me know!
(I went to take a picture of the rice balls in the daylight only to find them missing. My husband took them into work for lunch! So sorry for the stinky night time picture.)
based on this recipe by Giada Ingredients Breading In a large bowl combine all filling ingredients. Mix together well. Form into ball shapes. I used a 1/4 cup measure to help with serving size. After you form about 16 rice balls, roll them in extra panko. Heat up in a frying pan canola oil to about 1/4 inch. Let heat up and then lightly fry each rice ball, turning occasionally about 4-5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
*Note: I used a different method with the cheese than Giada did, mostly because I felt it was easier to do it this way. Feel free to do it either way!
And now this is where I take at least 3 days off from eating cheese after an overload and a lot of stomachaches last week. I ate about 4 of these. Maybe more.
Please make these.
On another, much bigger note: 11 years ago NY was forever changed. I feel like I never know what to say on this day, but certainly it’s not about me today. <3
Bless New York’s finest our angels in blue, giving us hope and helping us throughand bless New York’s bravest the FDNY giving their sweat and their tears and their lives, and bless all the medics and our troops over seas, bless the guys in the hard hats removing debris, bless the every day people who answered the call, bless those who gave some and those who gave all.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks like a delicious meal– I need to spend more time with my cookbooks. I always feel more drawn to the kitchen this time of year.
I imagine that these would reheat well! Perfect for me as I always steam up a ton of veggies for dinner but fail to find adequate carbs to go with them. I like baking all afternoon Sunday for the rest of the week so I’ll have to put these into rotation.
I want to say I’ve been in a food rut lately, but I’m really liking staying with my usual. I think it’s just because I don’t have to think about it. I do love that cookbook too though. I should pull it out and start playing around again.
Oh my goodness!! I’ve been following you on twitter but somehow I never saw your blog! I’m IN LOVE! You have so any awesome recipes!!! I definitely want to try making these rice balls. I’ve never made anything like that before!!