Fregola Risotto With Shrimp Roasted Corn And Melted Leeks Recipes

FREGOLA RISOTTO WITH SHRIMP, ROASTED CORN, AND MELTED LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Put the corn in a small baking dish and add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, about 2 cups. Th e moist heat cooks the corn perfectly. Bake the corn, turning the ears with tongs halfway through cooking, until the husks are brown and the corn feels tender when you press it, 40 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel off the husks and remove the corn silks. Cut the kernels off the cob; you should have about 1 1/2 cups.
• Meanwhile, heat the stock until it simmers. Keep warm over low heat.
• Cut off the dark green tops of the leeks and discard. Cut the leeks crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds. Put them in a large bowl of water. Swish the water around and separate the leek pieces, checking for dirt between the layers. The sand will fall to the bottom of the bowl. Lift the leeks out with your hands and put them on a kitchen towel to dry; you should have about 6 cups.
• Put a large skillet over low heat and add 4 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter is foamy, add the leeks and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are tender but not brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs. Pour in the cream and stir to incorporate. Cover and keep warm over very low heat.
• Put a large, deep skillet over medium heat and drizzle with the oil, then add 1 tablespoon of the butter. When the butter is foamy, add the shallot and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the shallot is soft, about 3 minutes. Add the fregola and stir for a minute or two until the pasta is well coated; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the wine and simmer for 1 minute to evaporate the alcohol.
• Pour in 1 cup of the warm stock. Stir with a wooden spoon until the pasta has absorbed all of the liquid. Keep stirring while adding the stock little by little, allowing the pasta to drink it in before you add more. This whole process should take about 20 minutes. You may not need all of the stock. Taste the risotto: it should be slightly firm but creamy. Add the corn, shrimp, parsley, and tarragon. Cook, stirring, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter to make it rich.
• To serve, divide the risotto among 4 shallow bowls, top with the leeks, and garnish with a shower of parsley.

JUMBO SHRIMP WITH FREGOLA

Steps:

• Peel shrimp, reserving heads and shells. Devein shrimp. Put shrimp heads and shells in large pot. Add celery, carrot, tomato, onion, and 4 1D2 cups water. Set over high heat, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and bring to boil. Lower heat, cover pot, and simmer 40 minutes, skimming occasionally.
• Strain broth into 4-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract flavorful liquid. Add water if necessary to make 4 cups liquid. Return broth to pan, add fregola, and set over high heat. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. Add shrimp and simmer additional 5 minutes.
• Divide among 4 soup bowls. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over each bowl, and sprinkle with parsley and basil.

FREGOLA WITH CORN

Steps:

• In a medium pot, bring lightly salted water to a boil. Add fregola and cook until tender yet springy and chewy, 12 to 14 minutes. Drain, rinse under cool water, and drain again.
• Place a sauté pan over medium-high heat, and add butter, corn or peas, scallions, and vegetable stock. Cook at a lively simmer, stirring occasionally, until the corn or peas are cooked and the broth is reduced by about half, about 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and add fregola and Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano. The mixture should be gooey like macaroni and cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, serve with a green salad.