Risotto and Italian chicken

[Professor]

Anyone else love risotto? I'm Italian, so it's tradition, but due to my inability to eat dairy, it's a rare treat now. I made it last night for company (and of course I had some of the risotto). Whenever this particular family comes over, they always ask me to cook the meal described below. I've never tried it with substitute ingredients, and never plan to try! Authentic is the only way for risotto . . . NOTE: There are many types of risotto -- some even have a red sauce with basil! -- but this is my favorite.

In a large heavy kettle, saute (over medium heat) in 2-3 Tbsp olive oil:
2-4 cloves garlic, minced,
1/4 cp. minced onion,
1-2 cps coarse chopped portobella mushrooms,
1.5 cps arborrio rice.

When rice is golden, and other items are tender, add 3 cps chicken broth (use homemade if possible, or a good organic brand), and simmer til rice is cooked. (If it runs out of liquid before rice is tender, add water, 2-3 Tbsp at a time.)

When rice is cooked, add
2-4 Tbsp butter (not margarine),
1 cp. shredded Parmigianno Regianno cheese (or any good parm),
1/2 cp heavy cream,
and salt and pepper to taste.
Stir over medium-low heat til all ingredients are well mixed, butter and cheese melted, and everything is hot.

Top the serving bowl with a big handful of toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately.

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Good with a nice roasted chicken -- stuff sprigs of rosemary under the skin, then drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper before roasting as usual. Maybe grill some asparagus spears that have been in a large zipper bag with olive oil overnight -- the perfect dinner! (Do the raspberries with pine nuts for dessert, too, or the raspberry ice cream.)

Lexi

[Judy]

Lexi, that sounds delicious. I'm italian too, but risoto isn't something my italian (right off the boat) family ever made. My dad's family was from northern italy so maybe its not a dish from that region. Although my mom did make a sweet italian rice cake that was a killer.
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Judy

[aklap]

I agree with "Judy in the Sky with Diamonds"...it sounds great!!! I think WE shoulda been the company

You mean Risotto out of a box then in to a microwave is not authentic?!?! hehehehe
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Al

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

[Professor]

VERY easy to make, so no excuses . . .

Yes, I'll invite you all next time I make it!

Lex