Bacon Butternut Arancini with Pumpkin Seed Pesto Dip.
HELLO. I made you crunchy balls of gooey cheese.
Can we be friends forever?
I hope so.
Guys! How was your weekend? How was your Thanksgiving, if you celebrated?
I hosted Thanksgiving and I barely took one single photo. I can’t believe it. I also didn’t catch my house on fire or burn the stuffing or make lumpy gravy, so that’s a plus.
But! This is one of the first years that I haven’t done a Thanksgiving round up post over on Crumbs, and it’s not that I didn’t want to – but I was SO in the moment. I thoroughly enjoyed it all but I also really wish that I had snapped more so I could relive it all. Especially the insaaaane chocolate peanut butter brownies I made.
Since then, we’ve been decorating fools. We have been telling Max all weekend that we are turning our house into a winter wonderland for him so now he is running around and screaming “wonderwand!”
So adorable. But I know. You probably have to be here. We’re also currently watching the Grinch and I’m hoping he isn’t scarred for life after this.
Annnyhooo.
This is exactly what I did with the butternut bacon risotto I made a few weeks ago. And I’m in LOVE!
Last year around the holidays I made a goat cheese and roasted garlic arancini. To say I’ve been craving it and wanting to make more ever since would be a serious understatement. I remember the exact place I was standing nearly one year ago when I tasted my homemade ones for the first time and it.was.heaven.
Heaven, I tell you!
Yes, I realize that this butternut recipe may have been more appropriate in October or before Thanksgiving, but hey, it’s still November. And we are entering the best time of year for alllllll the delicious appetizers we can eat (oh, hi, treadmill) and making wonderful food to share with friends and family.
If you just HAPPEN to have some leftover risotto (might be crazy, I know)… then I doubt you’ll hate it if you stuff it with cheese, coat it in breadcrumbs and give it a little fry bath.
Can you even take that CHEESE?!
Bacon Butternut Arancini with Pumpkin Seed Pesto Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooled butternut bacon risotto
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 8 ounces fontina cheese, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- a pinch of salt and pepper
- 2 cups seasoned bread crumbs
- vegetable oil for frying
pumpkin seed pesto dip
- 2/3 cup plain greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin seed pesto
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
- Note: to cool the risotto quickly, you can make a batch then spread it out on a baking sheet to cool and slightly dry. I’ve done it both ways (the other being to store it overnight in the fridge) and they both work great.
- In a large bowl, stir together the cooled rice, egg, parmesan, salt, pepper and about 1/2 cup of the breadcrumbs. Using your hands, form the mixture into 1-inch round balls. Gently push a cube or two of fontina cheese in the center of each ball, make sure to seal it all around. Roll each ball in the remaining bread crumbs and place it on a baking sheet. Once finished, place the baking sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- While the rice balls are freezing, heat about 1-2 inches of oil in a large pot. You want it to be between 325 and 350 degrees F. Add about 2 to 3 rice balls to the oil at one time, frying until golden on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to remove excess grease. Repeat.
- Serve immediately with extra grated parmesan and the pesto dip.
pumpkin seed pesto dip
- Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
Did you make this recipe?
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I appreciate you so much!
Tastes like my dreams.
34 Comments on “Bacon Butternut Arancini with Pumpkin Seed Pesto Dip.”
OMG These look fabulous!
thanks sara!
Totally making some form of these for Christmas Eve. I barely took any photos on Thanksgiving either and that makes me so sad… But it also means we were too busy enjoying it ! :)
yes! so true.
OH MY GOD!!!!! legit speechless, these look unreal!!
thanks girl!
that dip! the creamy, tangy, herby dip sounds like it’d be so perfect with hot arancini, and i bet it’d also be amazing with pasta or veggies (:
it def would! thanks heather!
I’ve never had pumpkin seed pesto, I’m really curious now! x
Jessica — NinetyCo
thanks jessica!
Crunchy balls of cheese!?!? Let’s run away together. I’ll pack the sprinkles.
It sounds like you did a better job of being present that I did. My mom was nagging me about my phone constantly. Funnily enough, she didn’t nag my husband, because he can do no wrong. Eye roll. Oh, another eye roll — admitting my mama was right. I’m going to make an extra effort at Christmas to keep my paws off the phone.
oh that’s funny…. haha!
You make £27/h that’s great going girl good for you! My story is that I quit working at shoprite to work online , seriously I couldn’t be happier I work when I want and where I want. And with a little effort I easily bring in £35/h and sometimes even as much as £85/h…
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Friends FOREVER!! So tempted to say it Sandlot style too. ;)
Yay! The Grinch! Is he scarred? Into adulthood, it’s still a seasonal must-watch.
These have all the best things in life in them – bacon, cheese, squash, pumpkin seeds. I wish you could ship me a couple dozen!
You make £27/h that’s great going girl good for you! My story is that I quit working at shoprite to work online , seriously I couldn’t be haappier I work when I want and where I want. And with a little effort I easily bring in £35/h and sometimes even as much as £85/h…Heres a good example of what I’m doing, …….>>>>> http://www.JobNews6.Tk
sandlot style yesssss
Absolutely love your recipe WOW’s!!! Really this would be special and great recipe for Christmas Eve!!!
Thanks for making enjoy!!!
thanks!
These look too good to be truth! Seriously that cheese center!!! Yumm
thanks jenna!
Omnomnom, I’m hungry now!
Great job on the Food Blogger Podcast! I just had to check you out after that.
You make £27/h that’s great going girl good for you! My story is that I quit working at shoprite to work online , seriously I couldn’t be haappier I work when I want and where I want. And with a little effort I easily bring in £35/h and sometimes even as much as £85/h…Heres a good example of what I’m doing, …….>>>>> http://www.JobNews6.Tk
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I made this for the super bowl party and it was a crowd favorite! Thank you!!
I made this for the super bowl party and it was a crowd favorite! Great recipe!!
*Sorry for the duplicate comment, the last one posted before I can complete my website link.
These crunchy balls of gooey cheese looks delicious. I’ll try to cook it for the next party. Thanks a lot for your recipe that contains healthy ingredients.
Pingback: Bacon Butternut Arancini with Pumpkin Seed Pesto Dip. – How Sweet It Is
Thanks for sharing this. Would like to try it tonight in my kitchen.
Jessica, Thanks for the recipe, it’s delicious!
Jessica, Delicious! I wonder, but a lot of calories?
Hi Jessica, I’ve never had pumpkin seed pesto, I’m really curious now!
These crunchy balls of gooey cheese looks so zesty and tasty! Absolutely love your creative idea! Thanks for sharing!