Even though it’s been over a decade since I lived in Rome, I can still vividly picture the walk from my charming little apartment in Trastevere, across the Ponte Sisto, to the nearby Pantheon. The piazza around the Pantheon had some of the best street food vendors in Rome. And it was there that I had my first taste of Suppli, the gorgeous little brown orbs of fried risotto with melted mozzarella in the center. I was 18 the first time I had one, and then 21 when I moved back to study urban design, with a minor in cappuccino-drinking. I could write thousands and thousands of words on how that time of my life looked, tasted, smelled, and felt. It was divine, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

All these years and many trips later, the things that seem to stick with me the most are the foods I’ve enjoyed along the way.

The pain au chocolat in the latin quarter of Paris. Grilled octopus in Santorini. Barbecue in the heart of Texas. I live for those moments, now frozen in time for me, when I’ve gotten to experience the soul of a culture by way of food.

So when we were presented with the opportunity to sample Mahón-Menorca cheeses (follow them on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter) and create a recipe with them, I got really excited. Most people are familiar with Mallorca, the party island of Spain. The sister island to Mallorca is Menorca (literally meaning “the larger island” and “the smaller island,” respectively). On Menorca, they make some of the most fantastic cheeses in all of Europe. It is a point of great regional pride. I have spied these cheeses in the fancy cheese area of our local grocery store, though I had never tried them. This, however, was a chance I would not pass up.

Given that I had this Italian-inspired recipe in mind, I had decided that if the cheeses didn’t fit with the recipe, I would find another way to use them. But upon tasting them, I knew they would be perfect in Suppli. The raw Mahón-Menorca Semi-cured cheese reminded me a lot of Parmesan, while the Semi-cured (not raw) cheese was a bit like firm mozzarella. The two pair beautifully, and were a nice duo for this dish.

I have also been experimenting with Nom Nom Paleo’s Magic Mushroom Powder in day to day cooking. Her blend is an innovative mix of salt, spices, porcini mushrooms, and olive oil. We don’t offer any spice blends like it in our lineup, so it’s really fun to have in the kitchen. The umami-packed punch was just what the Suppli needed to take it to the next level.

Another special ingredient I included in this recipe is TÖST – a non-alcoholic sparkling beverage made from white tea. It has notes of ginger and cranberry (though it has a peachy aroma to me). I really liked adding this to the recipe because it gave a slightly-sweet and floral brightness to balance the rich and earthy flavors. I put a little in the recipe, and a little more in a glass to drink while I cooked. You could also use a dry cider, champagne, or white wine in its place. All will lend their own unique flavors.

Since I had never made Suppli before, I referenced the general framework for Arancini (the Sicilian cousin of Suppli) on Bon Appetit, though I made fairly significant changes because I like to mess with things. My philosophy is that it’s good to glance at the map, but ultimately find your own way; it applies equally to travel and cooking.

This recipe, though it requires a fair amount of work, is so worth it. I feel like it would make a nice afternoon snack on a weekend, especially if you have a few friends coming over. You could probably form and bread the Suppli a little in advance and then fry them when guests arrive. Fried foods don’t keep very long, so you need to fry them about 10 minutes before they are served. One thing I will do differently next time I make these is to finely grind the panko before breading. It will give the finished Suppli a nice outer texture.

I really hope you enjoy my take on this classic Roman street food. Ciao, amici.

-Bill

Gluten-free Suppli (fried risotto balls)

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Suppli is a classic Roman street food: little fried balls of risotto with "surprises" of mozzarella cheese in the middle. This recipe is my interpretation of Suppli, drawing upon some of my favorite ingredients in the kitchen and remixing the classic recipe. The result is an umami-rich take on this classic Italian snack which would make a delightful appetizer at a dinner party. Instead of mozzarella, we've used Mahón-Menorca semi-cured cheese for the gooey, delicious center!

Serves: 4

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp 4 Tbsp 4 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, divided
• 1.5 cups 1.5 cups 1.5 cups Onion, chopped
• 2 cloves 2 cloves 2 cloves Garlic, smashed and minced
• 3/4 cup 3/4 cup 3/4 cup Arborio Rice
• 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cup TÖST sparkling beverage, or dry cider, or champagne (low sweetness)
• 2.5 cups 2.5 cups 2.5 cups free range, organic Chicken Stock
• 1 tsp 1 tsp 1 tsp Nom Nom Paleo Magic Mushroom Powder, (available at Whole Foods, highly recommended), Sub 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
• 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cup Water
• 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup Mahón-Menorca Semi-Cured Cheese, finely shredded
• 1.5 tsp 1.5 tsp 1.5 tsp Lemon Juice
• 1 pinch 1 pinch 1 pinch Himalayan Pink Salt
• 2/3 cup 2/3 cup 2/3 cup Mahón-Menorca Semi-Cured Cheese (Raw), Cubed
• 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup Cassava Flour
• 2 2 2 Eggs, whisked, with a splash of water
• 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup Gluten-free Panko
• Organic [*Spectrum Brand, sustainably sourced] Palm Oil Shortening, about 6 cups, for frying. Or your choice of neutral, high-heat fat.
• Marinara Sauce, for dipping

Process

Note, these instructions are written assuming the standard serving size, since you have modified the number of servings, these steps may need to be modified for best results

1. Begin by simmering your chicken stock over low heat.
2. In a large sauce pan, heat 2 Tbsp of butter over medium low heat. When melted and beginning to bubble, add the chopped onion. Saute until translucent.
3. After 4-5 minutes of gentle sauteeing, add the garlic and continue to saute 1-2 minutes. Add the arborio rice and stir for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the 1/2 cup of TÖST sparkling beverage (or champagne, or dry white wine). Simmer until the liquid has been absorbed. It doesn't hurt to pour yourself a glass of whatever you're adding in this step.
5. Stir in the chicken stock, about 1/2 cup at a time, waiting for it to completely absorb before adding more. Stir frequently - rice should be at a low bubble/ simmer. After adding half of the stock, add the Nom Nom Paleo Magic Mushroom Powder and red pepper flakes, and stir in. Add a final 1/2 cup of water and stir until absorbed.
6. Remove the risotto from the heat and add 1 cup of shredded Mahon Menorca Semi-cured cheese. Stir into the risotto, along with a squeeze of lemon (about 1.5 teaspoon) and a pinch of salt. Taste, and adjust if needed.
7. Spread the risotto mixture on a parchment lined baking sheet and refrigerate until cool to the touch (30-45 minutes).
8. While the risotto is cooling, prepare your breading and frying station. Heat the oil over medium heat and monitor with a candy thermometer. Hold the temperature when it reaches 350F. Prepare three bowls: one with cassava flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with gluten-free fine panko.
9. When the risotto is cool, begin assembly of the Suppli. Gather a scant 1/4 cup of risotto in the palm of your hand and flatten. Add 2 cubes of the Mahon Menorca Semi-cured raw cheese to the center. Fold up the risotto around it and form into an oblong ball, almost egg-shaped, wrapping it around the cubed cheese. Set aside and repeat until all the risotto is used up. Makes 10-12 Suppli.
10. To bread the Suppli, place the ball of risotto into the cassava flour, then the egg wash, and finally the fine panko. Set aside on a plate until all Suppli have been breaded.
11. Carefully lower the Suppli into the hot oil on a slotted spoon or wire spider, and fry for 4-6 minutes at 330-350 degrees. The temperature will drop once you add a few, so do not crowd the fryer. Once golden brown, drain on a paper towel lined rack.
12. Repeat until all Suppli are fried. Serve warm with your favorite marinara sauce!