Basic Microwave Risotto Recipes

MICROWAVE RISOTTO

Steps:

• heat butter and oil in pie dish, uncovered for 2 minutes on hi.
• add onion, stir, cook for 4 minutes on hi.
• stir in rice to coat, cook 4 minutes on hi.
• mix saffron into broth, add to rice, cook on hi for 9 minutes.
• stir and cook on hi for 9 minutes more.
• let sit for a few mins, add salt, pepper and cheese.

MICROWAVE RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a microwave safe bowl, combine the chopped onion and shortening. Microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring once after 2 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with the oil. Microwave on high for 4 more minutes.
• Add the chicken broth and return bowl to microwave. Cook the rice on high for 18 minutes, stirring once half way through. Stir again before the last 2 minutes and check to see that the liquid is almost all absorbed.
• Take the bowl from the microwave and let the rice absorb the last of the liquid, stirring 2 or 3 times.
• Add the cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Before serving, you may add whatever mined herbs you like, swirl in a pat or butter, or some milk or cream if you like a creamier risotto.

MICROWAVE MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• Stir together the dried porcini and 1 cup of the chicken broth in a microwave-safe 2-cup or larger measuring cup. Microwave, uncovered, on high (at 100 percent power) until the broth is hot but not boiling, 1 1/2 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 2 1/2 minutes in a 700-watt oven. Let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the porcini pieces from the liquid with a slotted spoon, squeezing out excess moisture in the process. Chop the porcini coarsely. Reserve the chopped porcini and the porcini broth separately.
• Place the shallots, garlic, cremini and shiitake mushrooms, 2 tablespoons of the butter and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish. Cover tightly with 2 pieces of plastic wrap; make a small slit in the center with the tip of a paring knife to vent excess steam. Microwave on high (at 100 percent power) until all the vegetables have softened, 5 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 9 minutes in a 700-watt oven. (When removing the plastic, be careful to avoid the hot steam.) If some of the vegetables still seem a little raw, stir and microwave again, covered, in 30-second increments.
• Add the rice to the baking dish, and stir to coat the grains. Add the white wine, 1 1/2 cups of the remaining chicken broth, reserved porcini broth (leaving the sediment at the bottom of the cup) and chopped porcini, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and microwave on high (at 100 percent power) for 8 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 10 minutes in a 700-watt oven. Stir the risotto, and add the remaining 1 cup chicken broth. Cover and microwave on high (at 100 percent power) until the rice is cooked but with the faintest bite in the center, 9 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 15 minutes in a 700-watt oven. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, Parmesan and parsley, and stir vigorously until creamy. At this stage, the risotto should be thick but pourable from a spoon; if it's too stiff, splash in more broth. Let sit, covered, for 2 minutes to rest and come together. Serve with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan on top.