Arrancini - Rice balls in tomato sauce

Yum! Fun and easy to make, healthy/vegetarian!

200 g (1 cup) jasmine rice, 2 bunches spring onions, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup bread crumbs (preferably freshly made), 1/4 cup freshly grated (!) parmesan or other cheese (gouda), 2 bunches thyme (or parsley), salt, pepper, olive oil, 1 lb (1 large can) peeled tomatoes, 2 garlic cloves, 30 g butter/oil.

Cook the rice, let cool a little. Meanwhile, cut the spring onions into rings. Mix the rice with the eggs, bread crumbs, cheese and half of the thyme, season with salt&pepper. Cook the spring onions, covered, for 5 minutes in olive oil. Add chopped tomatoes, season with salt, pepper and pressed garlic. Cook for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, shape the rice mixture into 12 balls. Fry in hot butter/oil with the rest of the thyme from all sides until golden brown.

You can easily make the double amount of rice balls and freeze half of them. Thaw them for a day in the fridge and then fry.

*Note: I dumbed this recipe down a bit - using dried instead of fresh thyme, and icky, cheap bread crumbs, and packaged, grated parmesan. It was still edible, though not great. I'd definitely recommend some fresh herbs and good cheese!