Play Ball Rice Bites

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 (4 ounce) cans mixed fruit in juice, half drained
• 1/4 cup canned tomato paste
• 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 (8 1/4 ounce) can mixed vegetables, no-salt added, drained
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 cups cooked rice, warm ( or brown)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• salt and pepper
• 3/4 cup finely crushed crisp rice cereal
• cooking spray, for baking or oil (for frying)

Recipe

• 1 to make the dip: purée the mixed fruit, tomato paste and vinegar in a blender or food processor; set aside.
• 2 to make the rice balls: purée the mixed vegetables, egg, garlic and worcestershire sauce in a blender or food processor. mix with rice, cheese, salt and pepper until completely combined.
• 3 preheat oven to 375°f, or heat oil in a deep fryer to 375°f.
• 4 scoop tablespoon-size balls of the rice mixture and gently form into balls, rolling them in the crushed rice cereal to coat.
• 5 if baking: line a rimmed cookie sheet with foil and spray with oil. place balls on the sheet and spray with more oil. bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. cool for 3 minutes.
• 6 if frying: fry in the deep fryer in small batches until crisp and brown, about 1 minute per batch. drain on paper towels.