Sams No Pain Risotto 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.

RISOTTO WITH SAUSAGE AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• With the tip of a small, sharp knife, slit open the sausage casings. Crumble the meat into a wide, heavy skillet or Dutch oven, and set over medium heat. If the meat is not rendering enough fat to coat the bottom of the pan as it begins to cook, add olive oil, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the meat is frying gently, not steaming. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the sausage, and cook, breaking up any large chunks of sausage and stirring occasionally, until the meat is opaque and crisp at the edges, approximately 10 minutes. Remove sausage from pan, and reserve 1 tablespoon of the rendered fat.
• Pour the stock into a medium saucepan or pot, and bring to a low simmer.
• While the stock heats, return the heavy skillet or Dutch oven to medium-low heat, and add to it the 1 tablespoon reserved sausage fat and 1 tablespoon butter, or 2 tablespoons butter if you don't want to cook with the sausage fat. When the butter foams, add the diced onion, and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until it is soft and translucent, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Add the rice, and stir until well coated, adding another tablespoon of fat if necessary. Stir until translucent, an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
• Raise the heat under the rice to medium, and add the wine to the skillet. Stir until wine is absorbed, then reduce the heat slightly. Begin adding ladlefuls of hot broth to the rice, stirring constantly and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next. Cook rice until it is tender but slightly chewy, approximately 20 to 30 minutes. You may not need all the broth. You may need more than you have; if additional liquid is needed, you can use boiling water.
• Remove the skillet from heat, and add the cheese, stirring to mix it into the rice. Add the sausage to the rice, and stir again. Taste, and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Squeeze the lemon over the rice, and then mound the risotto on a large, warmed bowl. Scatter the parsley over the top, and serve immediately, with more grated Parmesan on the side.

SAM'S BAKED RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook onion and garlic in olive oil and teaspoon of butter until softened.
• Add risotto and stir until rice has absorbed all the oil and butter.
• Add vermouth and cook for another minute or two.
• Stir in chicken broth and whipping cream, mix well and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Remove, cover and place in the oven for 18-20 minutes Remove from oven and stir in butter and Parmesan.
• Drizzle lightly with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with a little more Parmesan and fresh cracked pepper.

LOBSTER RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a medium pot, heat the stock and keep warm.
• In a large, wide saucepan, melt the butter in the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add a large pinch of salt, then add the rice and stir constantly for about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of broth and simmer, stirring until the broth is almost absorbed. Add more broth, a cup at a time, allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next. Stir often. Cook until the rice is tender and the mixture is creamy, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Stir in the lobster meat until heated through, then add the chives and ¼ cup of the Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with remaining Parmesan. Reserve excess risotto for Eggs Over (Easy) Lobster Risotto Patties (recipe here).

PAN-FRIED RISOTTO CAKES

Steps:

• Put butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a wide heavy-bottom saucepan or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until softened and lightly colored, about 5 minutes. Add squash and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until squash is cooked but not soft, about 5 minutes. Add rice and sage and stir to combine, then add wine and cook for 1 minute more.
• Add 2 cups vegetable broth and bring to a brisk simmer. Cook until liquid is nearly evaporated, about 5 minutes. Continue adding broth 1 cup at a time and cook in the same fashion until rice is just done and all liquid is absorbed (it should take 4 to 5 cups broth), about 10 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in Parmesan, Fontina and lemon zest and juice. Taste and adjust seasoning (rice should be well seasoned). Stir in chives, then spread mixture on a baking sheet or platter to cool. Cool for at least 2 hours (or refrigerate overnight, covered).
• With a spoon, divide mixture into 12 pieces. Shape each piece into an oval patty. Roll patties lightly in flour to coat. Pour olive oil to a depth of 1/2 inch into a cast-iron skillet and place over medium heat. Dip floured rice patties briefly into beaten egg, then fry gently on both sides until browned. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot, sprinkled with more Parmesan and chives if desired.