Thursday, March 19, 2009

Dirty Risotto

Who doesn't love an easy, one pot meal? Well, technically you need two pots--but only for warming the broth. And who doesn't love an easy two pot meal? Who doesn't love just about everything Giada deLaurentiis makes? That's what I thought. This easy weeknight meal is a winner sure to please everybody!



Dirty Risotto
adapted from Giada De Laurentiis, Giada's Family Dinners
Ingredients:
5 c. reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 TBSP butter
2 oz. pancetta, chopped
6 oz. spicy Italian sausage, casing removed if not ground
3/4 c. finely chopped onion
1 c. chopped red bell pepper
4 oz. button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 c. Arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
3/4 c. dry white wine
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan
1 c. chopped fresh spinach
1/4 c. chopped fresh I
talian parsley


Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer. Cover the broth and keep warm over low heat.

2. In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sausage and saute until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms and sauté until tender, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Add the rice and stir to coat. Add the wine and simmer until the wine has almost completely evaporated, about 1 minute.

5. Add 1/2 cup of simmering broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of broth to absorb before adding the next, until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 25 to 30 minutes total.

6. Remove from the heat. Stir in 3/4 of the Parmesan, spinach, and parsley.

7. Transfer the risotto to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and serve immediately. Serves four as a main course or six as a side dish.

One year ago: Meyer lemon ice cream