Crab Saffron Risotto Recipes

CRAB RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the butter and oil together in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until soft. Do not brown, they should be translucent. Add the rice and saute for a further 3 to 5 minutes making sure the rice is well coated, Using a ladle, add about 1/2 cup of stock to the rice and stir over a medium heat until the rice is almost dry and all the stock has been incorporated. Repeat this process until the rice is cooked but still has a slight bite. The rice should be creamy and moist, not runny, and the cooking time should be around 30 minutes.
• Just before serving, fold in the crabmeat, chopped chives, and Parmesan. Drizzle sparingly with white truffle oil.

FRESH CRAB AND PEA RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the stock in a medium saucepan and keep it simmering over low heat.
• In a medium (10 to 11-inch) pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots, fennel, and poblano pepper and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic, thyme, saffron, and red pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat all the grains with butter and oil. Add the wine and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes, until almost all the liquid has been absorbed. Add 1/2 cup of the simmering stock to the rice and cook, stirring frequently (see Cook's Note). When the stock is almost completely absorbed, continue adding stock, 1/2 cup at a time, simmering the risotto until the stock is absorbed each time before adding more stock. Cook until the rice is al dente; it should take between 25 and 30 minutes.
• When the rice is done, stir in the creme fraiche, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Fold in the crabmeat and peas and cook over low heat for 2 minutes, until the crabmeat is warmed through. Add just enough simmering stock to make the risotto moist and creamy. Serve hot in large, shallow bowls and sprinkle with chives and lemon zest.

CRAB RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat a large stockpot to medium-high, then add olive oil, onion, carrot, celery, tomato, bay leaf as well as salt & pepper. Saute until the onion is translucent.
• Add in 8 cups of water and crab shells, bring to a boil. Allow to boil for 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, then strain out the crab shells, vegetables and spices. Reserve broth and keep on medium heat for use in the risotto.
• Bring a large frying pan to medium heat, add olive oil, shallots (or onion) and garlic. Cook until shallots are softened (1-2 minutes). Add the Arborio rice (or Carnaroli rice), cook (stirring occasionally) for 1-2 minutes before adding dry white wine.
• Add wine and cook for a minute, keeping the rice moving (stirring frequently). Add one-third to half of the crab stock, cook (stirring occasionally) for 3-5 minutes until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid.
• Add the remaining crab stock in ladled increments, allowing the rice to slowly absorb the liquid until the arborio rice becomes slightly translucent and is an al dente firmness and the core can still be seen in the center (about 20 minutes total time once broth is added).
• Add the crab meat, butter, mascarpone cheese, lemon zest and salt & pepper (to taste). Stir vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and a thick, creamy risotto is achieved.
• Adjust the seasoning (if necessary), serve and garnish with large lump crab, parmigiano and green onions, dill, or parsley (if desired).