Creamy Asparagus Risotto With Pine Nuts Recipes

CREAMY, CHEESY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Warm chicken broth either on stove or in microwave.
• In a 2 quart saucepan or large skillet (non stick works well) heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add shallots and saute for 1-2 minutes until softened.
• Raise heat to medium high, add rice and salt, stirring constantly for 2 minutes, until rice just begins to turn slightly golden in color.
• Add wine and stir until almost completely evaporated.
• Begin adding chicken broth, about 1/2 cup at a time.
• After each 1/2 cup addition of broth, stir frequently, until broth is almost evaporated and add the next 1/2 cup.
• Do the same for each addition of broth, stirring frequently.
• Begin tasting the rice for doneness during the last two additions of broth for tenderness--it should be al dente-tender with a slight bite to it.
• If rice is not done after the last addition, continue cooking as above adding additional 1/2 cups of broth until done. The entire process should take about 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in cheese, cayenne and pecans or pine nuts. You can also add the additional teaspoon of butter if you want it extra rich at this point.
• Adjust the salt if needed, remembering that there is a lot of salt in cheese and possibly in the type of broth you use.
• Serve hot.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• 1. Cook the asparagus tips in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tips to a colander.
• and rinse in cold water; drain well.
• 2. Break the asparagus stalks in half. Add them to the boiling water and cook until very tender, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1/3 cup of the cooking water, then drain the stalks. Puree the stalks with the reserved cooking water in a food processor. Using a rubber spatula, work the puree through a coarse sieve; you should have about 2 cups.
• 3. In a medium saucepan, bring the stock to a simmer. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan. Add the shallots and cook over low heat, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until the shallots are lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add the rice and stir over moderate heat to coat the grains with the oil. Pour in the wine and continue stirring until the wine is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes.
• 4. Add 1 cup of the hot stock and stir constantly until almost absorbed. Continue adding the stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly until it is absorbed before adding more. When the rice is almost tender, after about 15 minutes, add the asparagus puree. Continue to cook, stirring, until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite, about 4 minutes. Add the asparagus tips and stir for 1 minute to heat through.
• 5. Remove the risotto from the heat and stir in the butter and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and let stand for 2 minutes, then spoon the risotto into shallow bowls and serve.
• Serves 8.
• This risotto gets its velvety texture from the asparagus puree that's stirred in before serving.

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan bring at least 5 cups salted water to a boil and add the asparagus.
• Cook 4 minutes.
• Drain, reserving 3+1/2 cups cooking liquid.
• Place asparagus in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
• Drain and cut the tips off the asparagus.
• Cut the stalks into 1/4 inch rounds.
• Keep tips and stalks separate.
• Place chicken broth and reserved cooking liquid in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low.
• In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
• Add onion and saute 5 minutes.
• Add rice and continue sauteing 2 minutes, stirring.
• Add 3/4 c hot liquid and simmer, stirring frequently, until is absorbed.
• Add asparagus rounds and 3/4 cup hot liquid.
• Simmer, stirring frequently, until liquid is absorbed.
• Continue adding hot liquid, 3/4 cup at a time, simmering and stirring frequently, until rice is cooked and liquid has been absorbed.
• Mix in the reserved asparagus tips, butter and grated cheese.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place into serving bowls and top with shaved Parmesan.

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• In 3- to 4-quart saucepan, heat broth and water to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer while preparing risotto.
• Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, carrot and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion and carrot are tender. Stir in wine; cook 1 minute or until wine boils. Stir in rice, salt and 1 cup simmering liquid. Cook until liquid is absorbed into rice, stirring frequently. Continue to add liquid, 1 cup at a time, cooking until liquid is absorbed and stirring frequently.
• When 4 cups liquid have been absorbed, stir in asparagus. Test rice for doneness, and continue adding 1/2 cup liquid at a time until rice is tender but still firm and creamy (process takes 15 to 20 minutes).
• Remove skillet from heat. Stir in pine nuts and cheese. Serve immediately.

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Blanch asparagus pieces in large pot of boiling, salted water 2 minutes. Drain. Rinse asparagus under cold water. Drain asparagus well.
• Bring chicken broth to simmer in small saucepan. Reduce heat to low and keep broth hot. Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add rice and stir 3 minutes. Add dry white wine and cook until liquid evaporates. Continue cooking until rice is tender but still slightly firm in center and mixture is creamy, adding chicken broth 1 cup at a time and stirring almost constantly, about 20 minutes. Add blanched asparagus pieces and stir until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Add 6 tablespoons butter and stir until incorporated. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Season risotto to taste with salt and pepper.

CREAMY ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring the stock to a simmer in a medium pot, and then set aside. Melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter in a large saucepan and cook the shallots until soft, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the rice and stir until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the wine and simmer until reduced to almost dry. Ladle the stock into the rice slowly, stirring until it disappears each time. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the mascarpone and Parmigiano, stirring until well blended.
• Prepare a bowl of ice water. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the asparagus tips and stems until al dente, and then dip in ice water for 2 to 3 seconds. Place the stems in a food processor and add the creme fraiche and lemon juice. Puree the mixture until thick and smooth. Saute the tips in the melted butter over medium-high heat until well coated, about 1 minute.
• To serve, place a small amount of puree into a bowl, spoon some risotto over, and garnish with asparagus heads and fresh melissa, hyssop and garlic. Sprinkle sea salt on top to taste.

FARRO RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the farro and 4 cups of water. Soak for 30 minutes and drain well.
• Heat the broth in a small saucepan and keep warm over low heat.
• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the oil and butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the drained farro and cook, stirring constantly until toasted, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and stir constantly until evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the hot broth and stir constantly until completely absorbed. Continue adding the remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, until the farro is creamy and cooked through, about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the currants, pine nuts, feta cheese, and the remaining salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and serve.
• Cook's Note: To toast the pine nuts, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven until lightly toasted, about 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before using.

FROZEN ASPARAGUS RISOTTO WITH BACON

Steps:

• Take a deep breath and say "Risotta-making is NOT difficult.".
• Cut asparagus into 3/4" pieces. Set aside.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, saute the onion and bacon in 2 T butter for 3 minutes over medium heat.
• Increase to high heat, add wine and reduce to half (about 3 minutes).
• Add rice, salt and pepper and continue stirring on high for 1 minute.
• Add 2 c of the hot chicken stock, lid the pan and turn off the heat.
• Go walk your dog, call your girlfriend, write that chapter in your novel. It can sit there until roughly 10-15 minutes before dinner is served.
• When you return, reheat the broth and crank up the heat on the rice.
• Stir, stir, stir, adding a cup of hot broth everytime it starts to look a bit dry.
• Sample a bit: does it seem a bit chewy but almost ready?.
• If so, add the asparagus and stir until heated through, about 2 minutes.
• Sample again. Ready? Remove from heat and add 1 T butter and cheese.