Risotto With Zucchini Recipes

CREAMY ITALIAN ZUCCHINI RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a medium size pan add olive oil, zucchine, onion, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt and 1/4 cup water, cook uncovered over medium low heat, stirring occasionally until the zucchini are tender (and a little golden) and water has evaporated, (approximately 15-20 minutes, after about 15 minutes if there is still a lot of water remaining turn heat up a little), when done, remove from heat and with a fork coarsely mash the zucchini mixture.
• In a large pot add the broth and heat until hot.
• Meanwhile, in a large pan on medium low heat melt the butter, add the rice and stir to combine, cook on medium heat for 30-45 seconds, then add continuously one cup at a time** the broth as it evaporates and the rice cooks, (this can take up to 30 minutes) stirring often.
• When rice is cooked make sure that it remains slightly moist and creamy, lower heat to very low, gently fold in the zucchini mixture (taste for salt, add if necessary). Remove from heat, gently fold in a tablespoon of butter and parmesan cheese until combined, add the cream, mix gently together, serve immediately with extra freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!
• **add the liquid a cup at a time (because you may not need all the liquid listed if your rice cooks quicker) and there should be a little liquid remaining in the rice when you add more liquid because you don't want the rice to stick to the pan.

ZUCCHINI RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring vegetable or chicken stock to a boil in a medium stock pot, then reduce heat to a low simmer.
• Melt butter in a large, heavy bottomed stock pot over medium heat. Stir in onions and cook for 2 minutes, or until softened. Add the rice and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted. Gradually ladle in simmering vegetable stock, stirring continuously. Risotto will become "creamy" and slightly sticky, yet still firm in the center, or al dente.
• When almost finished, stir in the zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, and thyme, adding stock as needed and stirring continuously. Stir in basil and 3 tablespoons cheese just before serving. Divide risotto among 6 bowls, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and season with pepper to taste.

RISOTTO WITH ZUCCHINI BLOSSOMS AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Using a saucepan, heat the olive oil and saute the red onions until soft, approximately 2 minutes.
• Add the rice and toast for a couple of minutes. Add the white wine and stir until creamy.
• Cut the zucchini blossoms into pieces and add to the rice. Heat the vegetable stock and add the saffron to the stock. Allow the saffron to steep in the stock for a few minutes. Add the saffron stock to the rice and allow to cook for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
• To finish the risotto, stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

SHRIMP AND ZUCCHINI RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini and cook for about 15 minutes. (I do not cook the zucchini with the risotto, as it would get too soft; by sauteing it on a higher flame I'm able to achieve a different texture, and I like it much better when added to the rice.) Remove the zucchini to a plate and reserve. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a second large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and foamy. Add the shallots and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, to toast it. Stir in 1 cup wine, reduce the heat to a medium-low simmer and let the alcohol evaporate for about 3 minutes. Stir the rice constantly; do not get distracted and let it become dry. As the liquid gets absorbed, begin adding the vegetable broth, one ladle at a time.
• Meanwhile, as your risotto is cooking and while you are stirring, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a medium skillet. When the butter is melted, add the shrimp and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add about three-quarters of the parsley and remaining 1/4 cup wine. Cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, and when the shrimp turn bright pink remove from the heat and set aside. Do not discard the juice.
• Once the risotto has cooked for 20 to 25 minutes, and as your vegetable broth is almost finished, start tasting the rice and feel its consistency. If it needs more time on the stove, you can ladle in some warm water to keep it going a few minutes more. Stir in a couple tablespoons of cheese, if using. (Italians do not like to see cheese and fish together, so I use Parmesan almost as a seasoning while I cook the rice.)
• If you've done everything right, this is the moment to stir in the already browned zucchini and the cooked shrimp; the sauce from the shrimp will help the risotto gain the final 5 minutes of cooking time without the need of any additional water.
• Ladle the risotto into serving bowls. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley and drizzle with olive oil.
• Wine suggestion for this recipe: Pinot Grigio

RISOTTO WITH ZUCCHINI AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Melt 1 T. butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, and cook until beginning to soften, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Transfer to bowl; reserve saucepan (do not clean).
• Bring 3 cups broth to simmer in small saucepan. Reduce heat to lwo and keep warm.
• Melt remaining 2 T. butter in reserved medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook until tender, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Add rice and stir until opaque, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup broth. Adjust heat so liquid simmers slowly and cook rice until broth is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Continue adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time, until rice is just tender and creamy, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper. Add zucchini and stir until heated through. Mix in cheese.