Ingredients

• 2 lbs carolina rice
• 1 1/2 qts water (6 cups)
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 sticks butter
• 5-6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups grated romano cheese
• 4 oz can tomato sauce

Flour, egg, and breadcrumbs for coating rice balls.
Oil for deep frying rice balls.

Directions

• In a large saucepot, bring water & rice to a boil.
• Over low heat cook until water is evaporated.
• Add milk, butter, beaten eggs, cheese, and cook, stirring, until rice is very thick & pasty.
• Transfer to a flat pan and cool overnight.
• (Cooking and thickening may take up to an hour)

To Assemble

• Brown ground beef and drain.
• Add tomato sauce and mix well.
• Place a mound of rice in the palm of your hand and make a well with the back of a spoon.
• Fill with a spoonful of meat mixture.
• Cover with another mound of rice and shape into a ball (like making a snowball).
• Continue shaping rice into balls.
• Roll each ball into flour, dip in egg, and coat with breadcrumbs.
• Deep fry in oil over med-high heat until golden brown.
• Makes about 35 rice balls.

Deb