Cheesey Rice Cakes with Marinara Sauce

I have been wanting to make cheesy rice balls since the day I first had them at a food show last year.I made these into small circular patties instead. These rice patties have a nice crispy exterior, encasing a creamy and cheesy, rice filling. They are great on their own or with a side of Caesar Salad.

 Ingredients makes 12

4 cups cooked * Italian * style rice,cooled

300g grated Gouda cheese ( or mozzarella or other cheese you like)

1 tsp dry oregano

 4 garlic cloves, minced

 pepper to taste

 chopped parsley to taste

For the bread Crumb Coating

 1 cup dry bread crumbs

2 tsp dry oregano

1 tso dry basil

2 tsp garlic granules

salt and pepper to taste

Combine the cooked rice, grated cheese ,oregano, garlic parsley and pepper in a large bowl, using your hands, combine all the ingredients until thoroughly distributed.Divide the rice mixture, and form 12 patties about an inch or so thick.

Combine the ingredients for the bread crumb coating in a shallow dish. Dip the rice patties into the bread crumb mixture and ensure even coating. Set the patties on a baking sheet and refrigerate while making the marinara sauce.

For the marinara sauce;

2- 796ml can of chopped tomatoes

1 cup water

6 garlic cloves, minced

8 sprigs fresh oregano, leaves only

8 sprigs fresh basil, leaves only

2 tbsp brown sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients for the marinara sauce in a large pot and simmer over a medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Use a hand held blender to puree the sauce, ensuring to allow the sauce to remain some what chunky.

You want the sauce to be pretty thick… if it is not at this point, than return the sauce to the heat, and simmer until the sauce reaches desired consistency.

Heat a shallow non stick pan with enough oil to come up about half way each rice patty, over a medium – medium high heat.

Remove the rice patties from the fridge, brown each patty in the hot oil for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.

 Serve with the Marinara sauce and extra herbs for garnish.