Moira Hodgsons Shrimp Risotto Recipes

RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Cut the asparagus into pieces two inches long, keeping the tips separate from the stalks. Bring the chicken stock to simmer and cook the stalks until tender. Remove with a slotted spoon. Add tips and repeat process.
• Heat the oil and two tablespoons butter in a skillet and gently soften the shallots with the prosciutto. Season with salt and pepper and add the rice. Stir with a wooden spoon to coat the grains. Let the rice cook three to four minutes, stirring so that it absorbs the butter and turns opaque.
• Add the wine, stir, and then add the saffron.
• Add the hot stock a ladle at a time, and cook the rice, stirring. Keep stirring and adding stock for about 20 minutes. The rice will absorb the liquid. Make sure the stock is being absorbed and that there is not much liquid on top. The bottom of the pan should be clean.
• Start testing the rice. It is done when it is al dente. You may not need to use all the stock or you may need to add a little hot water. Be careful not to overcook the rice.
• Just before the risotto is ready, stir in the asparagus to heat through. Stir in the remaining butter but do not return to the heat. Add the cheese, spoon the rice onto individual heated plates and sprinkle with extra cheese and ground pepper.

RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Trim the asparagus and steam until al dente. Cool and cut into three-quarter-inch pieces.
• In a large heavy skillet or casserole, saute the shallots with the peppers in butter and oil until the shallots are translucent. Add the rice and cook, stirring, so that it is thoroughly coated. Add the asparagus, saute for a minute. Add a cupful of hot stock and cook, stirring continually, until the rice has absorbed the liquid.
• Add salt and pepper to taste and half a cup of broth. Continue stirring so that the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pan, and add more broth, half a cup at a time, until the rice is cooked. It is done when it is al dente.
• Stir in the cheese, correct seasoning, sprinkle with chives and serve.

SHRIMP RISOTTO

Steps:

• Peel and devein shrimp, reserving shells. Heat stock in a large saucepan and add shells. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Chop shrimp into bite-sized morsels. Toss with olive oil and garlic; cover and refrigerate.
• Strain stock and discard shells. Keep warm on low heat.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Add shallots; cook until softened, but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add dry rice and stir until each grain is coated and starts to turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Raise heat to medium. Add wine, stir and simmer until mostly evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Ladle 1/2 cup of warm stock into the rice mixture; stir constantly until stock is absorbed, 3 to 5 minutes. Add rosemary and saffron and another 1/2 cup of stock; stir until absorbed, about 3 minutes. Repeat with about 4 more cups of stock, 10 to 15 minutes. Add marinated shrimp to the remaining 1 cup stock; stir for 1 minute and pour mixture into the rice. Cook and stir until risotto is tender yet firm to the bite, 6 to 8 minutes more.
• Stir Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and remaining 2 tablespoons butter into the risotto. Stir until creamy. Serve immediately in warmed bowls.

RISOTTO WITH PEAS AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Chop the sun-dried tomatoes. Bring the chicken or vegetable broth to simmer.
• Heat the butter in a large skillet and saute the scallions until they are soft. Add the rice and saute it, stirring, until it turns opaque.
• Add the wine and let it reduce. Add one-half cup of hot chicken stock and mix it in so the rice absorbs it. As the liquid is absorbed, add more. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue adding liquid and stirring for about 20 minutes all told, or until the rice is al dente.
• When the rice is almost cooked, add the peas and tomatoes and stir thoroughly. The liquid should be absorbed and the rice creamy. Stir in the cheese, cover for a minute or two and then serve with extra cheese passed separately.

RISOTTO WITH SHRIMP AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Peel and devein the shrimp and add the shells to the fish stock. Simmer for 20 minutes, then strain, reserving the stock. Keep it warm over low heat.
• Meanwhile, trim the stalks from the arugula, thoroughly wash the leaves and chop them.
• Heat the butter in a large skillet and saute the shrimps for two minutes until they turn pink (do not overcook them or they will become tough). Remove the shrimps and set them aside.
• Add the shallots and garlic and saute them until they are soft. Add the rice and saute it, stirring, until it turns opaque.
• Add the wine and let it reduce. Add one cup of hot fish stock and mix it in so the rice absorbs it. As the liquid is absorbed, add more. Add Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue adding liquid and stir for about 20 minutes all told, or until the rice is al dente. Add the shrimps and arugula and stir thoroughly. The liquid should be absorbed and the rice creamy.

RISOTTO MILANESE

Steps:

• In large heavy saucepan or skillet, soften shallots in butter. Add rice and cook over fairly high heat, stirring constantly, until grains turn opaque.
• Add dissolved saffron and wine and stir well to prevent rice from sticking to bottom of pan. When liquid has evaporated, add a ladle of hot broth. Repeat this procedure until rice is almost tender but firm. If you run out of stock, add warm water instead.
• Turn off heat and season risotto with salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese to taste. Serve immediately with more cheese passed separately.

RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND MORELS

Steps:

• Scoop the dried morels up from their soaking liquid and squeeze them, letting them drain back into the bowl. Follow by straining the soaking liquid through several layers of cheesecloth and then rinse the morels under running water before slicing them.
• Prepare the fresh morels. Rinse the morels quickly under cold running water and dry them with paper towels. Slice the tops and stems. In a small skillet, soften the shallots in one tablespoon of the butter over moderate heat. Add all the mushrooms and the strained soaking liquid, cover and cook gently for five minutes. Meanwhile, bring the chicken stock to a slow simmer.
• Heat one tablespoon butter and the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet and add the rice. Cook, stirring, until the grains are coated with the butter. Add a cup of the hot stock and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice has absorbed the liquid. Add the mushrooms and season them with salt and pepper to taste, and add the white wine.
• When the liquid has evaporated, add the asparagus, reserving the tips in another one-half cup of the stock. Continue adding the stock, one-half cup at a time as the rice absorbs the liquid, stirring continuously. Add the asparagus tips after the rice has cooked for about 12 minutes, and continue adding the broth, one-half cup at a time, stirring frequently. Continue adding liquid and stirring until the rice is creamy and tender, but just slightly al dente. Correct seasoning, stir in the Parmesan cheese and the remaining butter and sprinkle with parsley.

MOIRA HODGSON'S SHRIMP RISOTTO

Steps:

• Shell the shrimp and reserve the shells. Place the shells in a large saucepan. Cut an inch off the end of the onion and add it to the saucepan with the carrot, celery, parsley and herb bouquet. Add the water and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Strain and discard the shells and vegetables. Return the stock to the saucepan.
• Meanwhile put the saffron in a coffee cup and soften in warm water to cover for about 30 minutes. Chop the rest of the onion fine. Using a large skillet, soften the garlic and the onion in the butter. Bring the stock to a slow simmer.
• Add the rice to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the grains are coated with the butter. Add a cup of the hot stock and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice has absorbed the liquid. Add the saffron, tomatoes and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the stock, half a cup at a time, when the rice has absorbed the liquid. Stir continuously. Add the wine and cook, stirring continuously. Continue adding hot stock half a cup at a time and stirring until the rice is creamy and tender but al dente. Add the shrimp and cook for about five minutes, stirring until they are done. Correct seasoning and serve.