Butternut Squash Sage And Hazelnut Risotto Food

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & SAGE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Toss the squash in 1 tbsp oil together with the chopped sage. Scatter into a shallow roasting tin and roast for 30 mins until brown and soft.
• While the squash is roasting, prepare the risotto. Bring the stock to the boil and keep on a low simmer. In a separate pan, melt half the butter over a medium heat. Stir in the onions and cook gently for 8-10 mins until soft but not coloured, stirring occasionally. Stir the rice into the onions until completely coated in the butter, then stir continuously until the rice is shiny and the edges of the grain start to look transparent.
• Pour in the wine and simmer until completely evaporated. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, and stirring the rice over a low heat for 25-30 mins, until the rice is cooked al dente (with a slightly firm, starchy bite in the middle). The risotto should be creamy and slightly soupy.
• At the same time, gently fry the whole sage leaves in a little olive oil until crisp, then set aside on kitchen paper. When the squash is cooked, mash half of it to a rough purée and leave half whole. When the risotto is just done, stir through the purée, then add the cheese and remaining butter and leave to rest for a few minutes. Serve the risotto scattered with the whole chunks of squash and the crisp sage leaves.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO WITH SAGE

Steps:

• Peel, clean and dice the squash. Put the squash into a heavy-bottom pot and cook it with a few whole leaves of sage, salt, pepper and one cup of chicken stock. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, until tender but not too soft. Meanwhile, chop six sage leaves fine and dice the onion.
• Heat the rest of the chicken stock and hold at a low simmer. In a heavy-bottom saucepan, heat three tablespoons of the butter, add the chopped sage and cook a minute or two. Add the onion and continue to cook over medium heat until it is translucent, about five minutes.
• Add the rice and a pinch of salt and cook over low heat about three minutes, stirring often, until the rice has turned slightly opaque. Turn up the heat and pour in the white wine. When the wine has been absorbed, add just enough stock to cover the rice, stir well and reduce the heat.
• Keep the rice at a gentle simmer and continue to add more stock, a ladle or two at a time, letting each addition become absorbed by the rice. While the rice is cooking, saute the remaining sage leaves in butter until crisp. Drain on paper towels.
• After 15 minutes, the rice will be nearly cooked. Stir in the cooked squash, the rest of the butter and the cheese. Continue cooking three to five minutes. Taste for texture and consistency, adding a little more of the stock as needed. Adjust the seasoning. When the rice is done, serve it in a warm bowl and garnish with extra cheese and sauteed sage leaves.

BUTTERNUT, SAGE & HAZELNUT QUICHE

Steps:

• To make the pastry, put the flour, 50g hazelnuts and ½ tsp salt into a food processor. Give it a quick pulse to disperse the nuts through the flour, then add the butter and blitz until the mixture resembles rough breadcrumbs. Add the egg and 3 tbsp ice-cold water, and blitz again until the pastry is just coming together - if the pastry feels dry, add a tbsp more water and pulse again. Flatten into a disc, wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 mins until firm.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Melt the butter in a frying pan. Once foaming, add the sage leaves and fry for a min or so until crisp. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon and set aside. Mix the oil with the butter in the pan. Put the squash chunks in a roasting tin, sprinkle over the chilli flakes and some seasoning, then pour over the butter mixture. Toss together so that all the pieces of squash are coated, then roast for 35 mins until tender but holding their shape. Set aside to cool.
• Roll the pastry into a circle roughly 3mm thick on a floured surface, then use it to line a deep 25cm tart tin. Prick the base all over with a fork, then return to the fridge for 20 mins to firm up, or chill it in the freezer for a few minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop three-quarters of the sage leaves. Whisk the cream with the milk and eggs in a bowl until combined, add a good grating of nutmeg, season well, then stir through the feta, cooled squash and chopped sage.
• Line the pastry with baking parchment, fill with baking beans or dried rice and bake for 15 mins until the sides of the pastry are holding their shape. Remove the paper and beans and bake for 10 mins more until the pastry is lightly golden. Reduce the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3.
• Pour the quiche filling into the pastry case, then scatter over the rest of the hazelnuts and sage leaves. Return to the oven for 40-50 mins or until the filling is just set. Cool to room temperature before serving.

THE ULTIMATE MAKEOVER: RISOTTO WITH SQUASH & SAGE

Steps:

• Halve the squash lengthways, then scoop out the seeds. Peel, then cut the flesh into about 2.5cm pieces. Pour the stock into a pan, add the porcini, then bring to a gentle simmer.
• Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a heavy, wide pan. Add the onion, garlic, sage, thyme and squash, then gently fry for about 10 mins until the squash is almost tender, stirring occasionally, so it doesn't stick or burn. With the heat on medium, tip the rice into the squash. Keep stirring for 3-4 mins to toast it without colouring. Pour in the wine and stir everything for 1 min.
• Start to add the hot stock (leaving the porcini behind) - this process should take 18-20 mins, so put a timer on if it helps. Stir in 1½ ladles and adjust the heat so it simmers. Keep stirring and scraping down the sides. Once the first lot of stock has been absorbed, add another ladleful, continuing to stir to keep the risotto creamy. Continue adding and stirring in a ladleful of stock as each previous one is absorbed (it's ready for more when you drag the spoon across the bottom of the pan and it leaves a clear line).
• As the last of the stock goes in (keep a little back) check if the rice is ready - it should be soft with a bit of chew in the middle - and the consistency fluid. Season with pepper.
• Take the pan off the heat. Add a splash of the stock to keep the risotto moist, scatter over the parsley and half the Parmesan, then spoon on the mascarpone. With the lid on, let the risotto sit for 3-4 mins to rest.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a small frying pan. Add the sage leaves, then fry for a few secs until starting to colour. Transfer to kitchen paper with a slotted spoon to drain. Spoon the risotto into bowls, then scatter over the rest of the Parmesan and the crisp sage leaves.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, SAGE AND HAZELNUT RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over high heat, bring the stock to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and keep the liquid hot.
• In a medium, heavy saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and sauté the onion, stirring frequently, until it is soft and light brown, about 10 minutes. Add the squash and 4 teaspoons of the fresh sage or all the dried sage and sauté, stirring frequently for 2 minutes. Cover and cook until the squash is almost tender, about 6 minutes.
• Uncover the pan with the squash, add the rice and stir until a white spot appears in the center of the grains, about 1 minute. Add the wine and stir until absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup of the broth, adjust the heat to simmer, if needed, so that the liquid bubbles and is absorbed slowly. Stir until the liquid is absorbed. Continue cooking, adding the liquid 3/4 cup at a time and stirring almost constantly, until the rice starts to soften, about 10 minutes. Continue cooking, adding the liquid 1/2 cup at a time and stirring almost constantly, until the rice is just tender but slightly firm in the center and the mixture is creamy, about 10 minutes more.
• Add the Parmesan cheese, 3 Tbs. of the nuts, the pepper and salt. Stir to mix well.
• To serve, spoon the risotto into a serving bowl or onto plates. Garnish with the remaining 1 Tbs. fresh sage, if using, and the remaining 1 Tbs. nuts.