James Martin Crab Risotto Recipes

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).

CRAB RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the stock in a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Melt the butter in a separate medium saucepan, add the onion and garlic, and fry on a low-medium heat for 5 mins until softened but not coloured. Tip in the rice and cook for 1-2 mins until the rice is hot. Add the lemon zest with 1 ladleful of hot stock and stir constantly. Once the stock has been absorbed, continue to add it, a ladleful at a time, until the rice is cooked - this will take around 18 mins.
• When the rice is almost cooked but still has a little bite, tip in the peas, lemon juice and crabmeat, then season and cook for 3 mins more. Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat, add a knob of butter and a splash more stock, and leave to sit for 2 mins. Sprinkle over the chives and serve with lemon wedges.