Zia Orsolas Spinach Risotto Recipes

THE BEST RISOTTO

Steps:

• Warm the chicken stock in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
• Heat the olive oil in another medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves and 3 tablespoons butter, stirring until the butter has melted, about 1 minute.
• Add the rice and toast, stirring only once, until it smells nutty and starts to turn light golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has evaporated completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle one cup of the warm stock into the rice and cook, stirring gently without stopping, until the rice has absorbed the liquid, 2 to 3 minutes (you will know it's time to add more stock when you move the rice aside and no liquid pools in the center).
• Repeat this process, adding more stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. (You may have a little stock left over. If so, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.) If you prefer your risotto on the saucier side, add more stock 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
• Stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few more grinds of black pepper and serve with more Parmesan, if desired.

ITALIAN SPINACH-MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon butter, spinach, shallots, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; saute until spinach wilts and shallots begin to caramelize, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add rice; cook and stir until rice begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and continue stirring until liquid is almost absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Begin to add broth, 1/2 cup at a time. Stir until broth is almost completely absorbed, then add another 1/2 cup and repeat. Continue adding broth until risotto resembles a thick porridge but still has some bite to it. This process will take 20 to 30 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add Parmesan cheese, spinach-mushroom mixture, remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Season with salt if needed. Serve immediately.

OVEN-BAKED SPINACH RISOTTO

Steps:

• Set oven to 375 degrees F.
• Butter a 1-1/2-quart casserole dish.
• Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add in green pepper, onion and garlic; saute for about 5 minutes.
• Add in the rice; stir to coat well.
• Stir in fresh spinach leaves, chicken broth and about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, black pepper and salt and cayenne pepper; bring to a boil; simmer for about 3 minutes stirring constantly.
• Transfer mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
• Sprinkle with about 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (or to taste).
• Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the rice is tender.