Dinner tonight! Bacon-and-egg risotto recipe

This velvety risotto incorporates the deep flavor of applewood-smoked bacon with arborio rice cooked to perfectly creamy consistency. Fresh chopped chives and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano lend bright color and subtle tang, and a fresh egg yolk is nestled into each hot portion right before serving for added richness. Look no further, this is pure comfort in a bowl -- and it’s dinner in less than an hour!

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Applewood-smoked bacon and farm-fresh egg risotto

Total time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4

Note: Adapted from a recipe by chef Jamie West of Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. Arborio rice can be found at well-stocked supermarkets, cooking stores and Italian markets. Applewood-smoked bacon can be found at most well-stocked markets.

6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1 1/2 cups arborio rice

1 teaspoon minced garlic

5 strips bacon, preferably applewood-smoked, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1/4 cup chopped chives

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

4 egg yolks

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low to keep the broth warm.

2. Meanwhile, in a 4-quart heavy pot over medium heat, cook the onion in the butter until softened, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice, garlic and bacon and cook, stirring frequently, until the bacon begins to brown, about 3 minutes.

3. Stir in one-half cup warm broth and continue to cook the rice at a simmer until the broth is absorbed, stirring frequently. Continue to add the broth, one-half cup at a time, stirring constantly until each addition is absorbed before adding the next, until the rice is creamy-looking but still slightly chewy, 18 to 20 minutes (you should have leftover broth).

4. Stir in the cheese and chives, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Immediately divide the risotto among 4 warmed plates, and make an indentation in each mound of risotto for a yolk. Place a yolk in the center of each mound and serve immediately.

Each serving: 302 calories; 12 grams protein; 32 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 14 grams fat; 5 grams saturated fat; 225 mg. cholesterol; 1,121 mg. sodium.