Real Risotto in a Hurry
- Share via
Most people don’t think of risotto as fast food. Constant stirring and regular additions of hot stock are what make Arborio rice give up its starch and become a creamy, delectable dish.
But risotto really can be fairly quick if you have the ingredients ready to go. And if your dining partner takes a turn stirring, the time will fly until dinner is ready.
Serve the risotto with a green salad, a glass of dry white wine and Florentine cookies from your local bakery.
MENU
Pesto Risotto With Mushrooms
Green Salad With Vinaigrette
Florentine Cookies
****
Pesto Risotto With Mushrooms
Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 30 minutes
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
6 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 cup Arborio rice
1/2 cup white wine
1/3 cup prepared pesto
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
* Bring chicken broth to simmer in saucepan.
* Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and saute until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add rice and stir to coat with butter.
* Add wine and cook, stirring constantly, until wine is almost evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and simmer, stirring frequently, until most of broth has been absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Add another 1/2 cup broth and simmer, stirring frequently, until broth is absorbed; repeat with remaining broth, stirring and simmering, until rice is creamy and al dente, about 15 to 18 minutes total.
* Add pesto and cream and cook 2 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and salt and pepper to taste.
2 servings. Each serving: 659 calories; 1,275 mg sodium; 128 mg cholesterol; 49 grams fat; 42 grams carbohydrates; 16 grams protein; 0.87 gram fiber.
GAME PLAN
30 minutes before: Begin heating chicken broth. Chop onion and mushrooms and saute. Add rice.
20 minutes before: Begin adding wine and chicken broth. Prepare salad and vinaigrette and keep separate.
7 minutes before: Add pesto and cream.
5 minutes before: Add Parmesan and salt and pepper.
3 minutes before: Toss salad greens with vinaigrette.
INGREDIENTS
Shopping List
Arborio rice
Florentine cookies
6 ounces mushrooms
1 (7-ounce) jar pesto
1 (5-ounce) bag salad greens
Staples
Butter
Chicken broth
Olive oil
Onion
Parmesan cheese
Pepper
Salt
Whipping cream
White wine vinegar
White wine
