Suppli al telefono is a quintessential street food dish in Italy, evolving from humble beginnings as a peasant snack in Rosticcerias, where it was often enjoyed while waiting for main courses like roasted chicken or pork. Nowadays, this delightful appetiser has gained significant culinary recognition. Strolling through the streets of Rome, you’ll notice an increasing number of eateries specialising in Suppli, offering various innovative takes on this classic dish while always honouring the traditional Suppli al telefono.
Originating from Rome, the classic version of Suppli al telefono is a tantalizing deep-fried risotto rice ball, encasing a rich bolognese sauce and a heart of melting mozzarella. The joy of biting into this scrumptious treat reveals a delightful surprise: stretchy mozzarella strands that whimsically resemble an old-fashioned telephone cord!
I’m thrilled to share this favourite party food with you and am confident you’ll cherish it as much as we do! For more on Italian street food delights, especially variations of Pizza al Taglio, a must-try in Rome, visit Travel and Chatter’s feature on Pizza al Taglio. This site offers a deep dive into another iconic Roman culinary gem, complementing the savory experience of Suppli al Telefono.
What is the difference between suppli and arancini?
As many will put it, Arancini and Suppli are cousins. As a matter of fact, even though are similar, the main differences are as follows:
What does suppli al telefono means?
The name Suppli comes from a mispronunciation of the French word surprise, while al telefono is used to describe the stringy mozzarella in the center which reminds the now obsolete phone cable.
What will I need to make Suppli?
Arborio risotto rice, Bolognese sauce (you can find the recipe here), vegetable stock, eggs, mozzarella cheese for the surprise, and red onions. To ensure your supply stays crispy use breadcrumbs, you will also need white flour, white or red wine, parmesan cheese, fresh basil, salt, and pepper for seasoning.
All the ingredients are so easy to source you should have no problem buying them from your local supermarket or online.
What rice should I use to make Suppli?
The best rice for Suppli and indeed Arancini is Arborio! The starch complexity on the outer part of the grains facilitates the shaping of the Suppli.
There are a number of different rice grains available, however following many trial and error, and my time in the professional kitchen, save yourself some time and go for Arborio rice straight away!
Lets Make Suppli al Telefono!
Start by bringing the stock to a boil and making risotto.
Using a large frying pan, pour 10 ml of oil and add the finely chopped onions, place on low heat and cook until the onions are translucent.
Then increase the heat and add the rice. Steer constantly, it is important that every rice grain is coated with hot oil and toasted. After about one minute, the rice will turn from white in colour to a translucent yellowish, now pour the wine and steer. Once the wine (and the alcohol) is evaporated add the first ladle of hot stock and the Bolognese sauce. You can make bolognese sauce in advance and store it in the fridge for a few days.
After about 17/18 minutes the rice should be almost ready, it should be cooked but have still a bite in the center. Decant on a large tray, spread thinly, and let cool as quickly as possible. Once the rice has cooled down completely, place it in a mixing bowl, add the grated parmesan, and mix well.
I have provided step-by-step pictures above to help you through the next process.
1. Divide the mix into 8 or 10 bowls or alternatively use ice cream scoops in other to have a uniform size supply.
2. In your hands, shape the supply in the classic sub shape, and force your finger in the middle creating a weal.
3. Place the mozzarella strip inside and close pressing firmly.
Once all suppli have been formed prepare for the breading, place the flour and the breadcrumb in a separate large bowls and break and beet slightly the eggs in a smaller bowl.
4. One by one, roll the suppli in the flour
5. Then deep them in the egg mix
6. Roll in the breadcrumb, making sure all parts are covered by the breading.
Rest the suppli in the fridge until you are ready to eat them.
7. If you have a fryer, set it up at 160 C or 320 F, alternatively use a deep large pan and a probe to control the temperature
8. Fry the suppli for 5/6 minutes moving them and flipping often ensuring an even colour and crispiness
9. Using absorbent kitchen towel rest the suppli for a few minutes to take off all the excess oil.
What sauce can I serve with suppli?
It depends on your personal preferences really:
- Garlic mayo is great!
- Basil pesto
- Warm tomato sauce
- Spicy arrabbiata sauce is my personal favourite
Why not have a selection of a few sauces on the table and then you and your guests can have a variety!
Another fantastic figure food recipe that will go with the sauces on the table is Fungi Fritti, add it to your table!
How long can I keep Suppli for?
I would recommend eating suppli at the moment and not keeping the leftovers, as they will not taste the same and will become soggy the following day.
On the other hand, I would suggest preparing a batch of suppli when you have some spare time and then freeze them. When you would like to eat them or for a special occasion, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Do not fry from frozen! Once the supply is fully defrosted follow my frying instructions and serve hot!
What is the best oil for frying the suppli?
There are a few options, peanut oil, canola, and sunflower oil. They are all performing well at high temperatures. I always opt for the latter as I prefer the color achieved when frying with sunflower oil.
Suppli al Telefono
Equipment
Ingredients
- 300 g Bolognese sauce
- 150 g Arborio Risotto rice
- 400 ml Vegetable Stock
- 2 each Eggs
- 125 g Mozzarella Cheese
- 120 g Red Onion
- 100 g Breadcumbs
- 60 g White Flour
- 100 ml White wine
- 10 g Parmesan cheese
- 10 g Fresh basil Leaves
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pour the stock in a pot and bring to a simmer
- In a large frying pan, pour 10 ml of oil and add the finely chopped onions, place on a low heat and cook until the onions are translucent. Then increase the heat and add the rice. Steer constantly, it is important that every rice grain is coated with the hot oil and toasted.
- After about one minute, the rice will turn from white in colour to a translucent yellowish, now pour the wine and steer. Once the wine (and the alcohol) is evaporated add the first ladle of hot stock, basil leaves and the Bolognese sauce (you can find recipe for bolognese sauce by clicking the link) .
- Steer the rice regularly adding stock every time is drying up
- After about 17-18 minutes the rice should be ready, it should be cooked but have still a bite in the centre. Decant on a large tray, spread thinly and let it cool as quickly as possible.
- Once the rice has cooled down completely, place in a mixing bowl, add the grated parmesan. Mix the mixture well.
- Divide the mix into 8 to10 bowls or alternatively use an ice cream scoops in order to have uniform size suppli.
- In your hands, shape the suppli in the classic sub shape, force your finger in the middle creating a cavity. After the space is made, place the mozzarella strip inside and close pressing firmly.
- Once all suppli have been formed prepare for the breading: place the flour and the breadcrumb in separate large bowl; break and beet slightly the eggs in a smaller bowl.
- Firstly - one by one, roll the suppli in the flour.
- Secondly - deep in the egg mix.
- Thirdly - roll in the breadcrumb, making sure all the parts are covered.
- Finally - rest the suppli in the fridge until you are ready to fry them.
- If you have a fryer, set it up at 160 C or 320 F, alternatively use a deep large
pan and use a probe to control the temperature - Fry the suppli for 5/6 minutes mooing them and flipping often ensuring an even colour and crispiness is achieved.
- Rest suppli on the kitchen paper towel to absorb the extra grease and oil before serving
HINTS AND TIPS
- Ensure the oil is at the right temperature by using a probe. If the oil is too cold, the suppli will absorb the oil, resulting in a greasy and unappetizing dish. When frying in excessively hot oil, the supply will overcolor or even burn on the outer layer.
- Place the suppli on absorbent kitchen tissue after frying to avoid any excess oil on the plate.
- You can serve suppli with arrabiata sauce or tomato and basil sauce, depending on your preference.
- If the rice is a bit wet and difficult to mould, add a little breadcrumb to the mix before forming.
Nutrition
I hope you will enjoy Suppli al Telefono as an appetizer on your party table! You can serve them as a snack too with a selection of side dishes like roasted carrots and green beans marinara ! Follow up your feast with spaghetti alla crudiola or what about a lovely panzanella salad.
Check out a selection of our family recipes for true Italian inspiration!
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Love the fun idea of providing multiple sauces! Thanks for a great recipe!
Yum! All my favourite ingredients in one bowl!
I am not familiar with this recipe but this looks absolutely delicious. Local street foods always interest me and I will love to make this in my kitchen.
Great recipe. Thanks for providing wine suggestions too.
I love mozzarella! This recipe is perfect for me!
Wow! I’ve always wanted to visit Italy! Thanks for bringing a recipe to us!
I’m so intrigued by this recipe! It looks amazing!
Yum! This suppli al telefono is making me crave! Looks really scrumptious!
Love the combination of fried rice/risotto and Bolognese sauce. Plus cheese! This is heaven!
This one sounds like a perfect dinner choice.
These look delicious! I love arancini so am sure these are even more tasty with that mozzarella centre. Yum yum!
This is so interesting. They sound very much like how we make arancini. My Husband is from Saronno in the North. We always put mozzarella or some prosciutto in the centre. I love that Italian food is so regional and there are these little variations!
These look and sound absolutely divine! I neeeed to go to Italy 😀
I have only one word: yuuummm
Another amazing recipe from you! I can’t wait to try this! It looks yummy!
This looks delicious, I love Italian food. Thank you!
I’ve never heard of these but they look great!
This look amazing and delicious I always love to try and make new things
Yum! Thank you for sharing, I can’t wait to make these!
Suppli is a new one to me. Looks great! It’s made me miss the tiny Italian market stall near my old workplace that used to sell arancini.
Oh that all looks scrumpy!