Baby Artichoke Risotto Recipes

BABY ARTICHOKE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Trim the artichokes, rubbing them with a cut lemon as you go, and slice 1/4 to 1/3 inch thick. Place them in a bowl of water acidulated with the juice of 1/2 lemon. Put your stock or broth into a saucepan, and bring it to a simmer over low heat with a ladle nearby or in the pot. Make sure that the broth is well seasoned.
• Drain the artichoke hearts and pat dry. Heat the oil in a wide, heavy skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook gently until tender, three to five minutes. Add the artichoke hearts and the garlic, and stir for two to three minutes until the artichoke hearts are beginning to color.
• Add the rice and thyme, and stir until the grains become separate and begin to crackle. Add the wine, and stir over medium heat until it has been absorbed by the rice. Begin adding the simmering stock, two ladlefuls (about 1/2 cup) at a time. The stock should just cover the rice and should be bubbling, not too slowly nor too quickly. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid is almost absorbed. Add another ladleful or two of the stock, and continue to cook in this fashion - adding more stock when the rice is almost dry, then stirring - for 20 to 25 minutes. When the rice is tender all the way through but still chewy, it is done. Add pepper, taste and adjust seasoning.
• Mince the parsley and lemon zest together, and add to the risotto along with another ladleful or two of stock. Remove from the heat, and add a teaspoon or two of lemon juice. Stir in the cheese, if using. Serve right away in wide soup bowls or on plates, spreading the risotto in a thin layer rather than lumping in a mound.

RISOTTO WITH BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Trim all but the most tender inner yellow leaves from the artichokes. Cut the artichokes in thin slices and put them into a pot of water into which you have squeezed the juice of the lemon half. This will prevent them from turning brown.
• In a large heavy saucepan or skillet, soften the onion and the garlic in the oil and two tablespoons of the butter. Add the sliced artichokes and cook for three to four minutes, cooking frequently.
• Add the rice and cook over fairly high heat, stirring constantly, until the grains turn opaque.
• Pour in the wine and stir the rice well to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. When the liquid has evaporated, add a ladleful of hot broth. Repeat this procedure until the rice is almost tender, but firm. If you run out of stock, add warm water instead.
• Turn off the heat, add the butter and season the risotto with salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately, with more cheese passed separately at the table.

ARTICHOKE AND PARMESAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring broth to simmer in saucepan.Remove from heat. Cover; keep warm.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter with oil in heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté until soft and golden, about 5 minutes. Pat artichokes dry and add to pot. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and cook until artichokes begin to brown, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Add rice; stir 2 minutes. Add wine; stir until absorbed, about 1 minute. Add 1 1/2 cups warm broth; cook until absorbed, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add more broth, 1/2 cupful at a time, allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding next and stirring often, until rice is just tender and mixture is creamy, about 20 minutes longer. Remove from heat; stir in cheese and 1 tablespoon butter. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.