Cucina Rustica Risotto W Early Autumn Vegetables Recipes

THE BEST RISOTTO

Steps:

• Warm the chicken stock in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
• Heat the olive oil in another medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves and 3 tablespoons butter, stirring until the butter has melted, about 1 minute.
• Add the rice and toast, stirring only once, until it smells nutty and starts to turn light golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has evaporated completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle one cup of the warm stock into the rice and cook, stirring gently without stopping, until the rice has absorbed the liquid, 2 to 3 minutes (you will know it's time to add more stock when you move the rice aside and no liquid pools in the center).
• Repeat this process, adding more stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. (You may have a little stock left over. If so, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.) If you prefer your risotto on the saucier side, add more stock 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
• Stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few more grinds of black pepper and serve with more Parmesan, if desired.

CUCINA RUSTICA: RISOTTO W/ EARLY AUTUMN VEGETABLES

Steps:

• 1. In large heavy saucepan, heat half each of the oil and butter over medium heat; cook onion, garlic and mushrooms, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened.
• 2. Add zucchini, red pepper, corn, rosemary, pepper, salt and hot pepper flakes; cook, stirring for 3-5 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Remove from pan and set aside; keep warm.
• 3. Heat remaining oil and butter in same pan over medium-high heat. Add lemon rind and rice; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in 1/2 cup of the stock; cook, stirring constantly, until all liquid is absorbed. Keep adding stock, 1/2 cup at a time, cooking and stirring until each addition is absorbed before adding next, until rice is tender 15-18 minutes in total.
• 4. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese. Stir in lemon juice and vegetable mixture; heat through. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

RISOTTO WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Using a heavy sauce pot, heat the olive oil and saute the onions until translucent, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt.
• Add the rice and toast for another minute. Add the white wine and vegetable stock and stir until a creamy consistency. Allow rice to cook for 15 minutes until rich and creamy.
• Once rice is cooked, add the zucchini, peppers, and tomato and mix well.
• To serve, place on large platter and garnish with basil leaves and cherry tomatoes.

RISOTTO WITH AUTUMN VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat 2 T. butter and the oil in large saucepan over low heat. When butter foams, stir inleek and cook, stirring occasionally, until leek is tender and wilted, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour broth into small saucepan. Heat until hot and keep hot over very low heat.
• Add rice to leek, increase heat to medium, and cook, stirring constantly, until edges of grains are transparent, about 5 minutes.
• Pour enough broth into rice to cover by 1/4 inch. Adjusting heat to maintain a lively simmer (not steady boil), simmer, stirring constantly, until liquid is absorbed and you can see bottom of pan as you stir, about 5 minutes.
• Add more broth to cover rice by 1/4 inch and continue to simmer, stirring constantly, until liquid is absorbed. Repeat adding broth and simmering until rice is tender, but still slightly firm at the center; it should take about 20 minutes from time first liquid is added. Season to taste with salt and pepper halfway through cooking and stir in carrot, turnip and celery.
• Stir enough broth into risotto to make it creamy. Remove from heat and stir in remaining butter, the cheese, tomatoes, and garlic. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve hot.