Fregola Risotto With Shrimp Roasted Corn And Melted Leeks Food

HERBED FREGOLA

Steps:

• Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add 1 1/4 cups fregola and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl; add 2 tablespoons butter and the zest of 1/2 lemon and toss. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped dill and 2 tablespoons chopped chives; season with salt and pepper.

FREGOLA RISOTTO WITH SHRIMP, ROASTED CORN, AND MELTED LEEKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Put the corn in a small baking dish and add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan, about 2 cups. Th e moist heat cooks the corn perfectly. Bake the corn, turning the ears with tongs halfway through cooking, until the husks are brown and the corn feels tender when you press it, 40 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel off the husks and remove the corn silks. Cut the kernels off the cob; you should have about 1 1/2 cups.
• Meanwhile, heat the stock until it simmers. Keep warm over low heat.
• Cut off the dark green tops of the leeks and discard. Cut the leeks crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds. Put them in a large bowl of water. Swish the water around and separate the leek pieces, checking for dirt between the layers. The sand will fall to the bottom of the bowl. Lift the leeks out with your hands and put them on a kitchen towel to dry; you should have about 6 cups.
• Put a large skillet over low heat and add 4 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter is foamy, add the leeks and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are tender but not brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs. Pour in the cream and stir to incorporate. Cover and keep warm over very low heat.
• Put a large, deep skillet over medium heat and drizzle with the oil, then add 1 tablespoon of the butter. When the butter is foamy, add the shallot and garlic. Cook, stirring, until the shallot is soft, about 3 minutes. Add the fregola and stir for a minute or two until the pasta is well coated; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the wine and simmer for 1 minute to evaporate the alcohol.
• Pour in 1 cup of the warm stock. Stir with a wooden spoon until the pasta has absorbed all of the liquid. Keep stirring while adding the stock little by little, allowing the pasta to drink it in before you add more. This whole process should take about 20 minutes. You may not need all of the stock. Taste the risotto: it should be slightly firm but creamy. Add the corn, shrimp, parsley, and tarragon. Cook, stirring, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter to make it rich.
• To serve, divide the risotto among 4 shallow bowls, top with the leeks, and garnish with a shower of parsley.

SHRIMP AND LEEK RISOTTO

Steps:

• Clean and prep the leeks by trimming the roots and dark green leaves from the stalks, then slit each in half lengthwise and thoroughly swish each half in a large bowl of water to remove any sand and sediment that might be stuck between the root layers, gently frilling them apart with your thumbs. Pat dry and slice each half into 1/8-inch thick half-moons.
• In a small saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a simmer and keep warm over low heat.
• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Add the leeks and garlic, and sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt evenly over the vegetables. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and just starting to caramelize.
• Add the rice and stir well for 2 minutes to gently toast.
• Stir in the wine and simmer until nearly evaporated.
• Add 1/2 cup of the warm chicken broth to the rice and stir gently and frequently until most of the liquid is absorbed. Continue to add broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring as the rice continues to cook and absorb liquid.
• After 15-20 minutes, most of the broth should be absorbed and the rice should taste tender and chewy but slightly firm to the bite. There will still be a good amount of sauce in the pan with the rice; risotto isn't fluffy and dry like a pilaf, but retains a slightly soupy texture.
• Before you add your last ladleful of broth, stir in the shrimp to cook through as the liquid is absorbed.
• Season the risotto with salt and pepper to taste, stir in the remaining butter, the Parmesan, parsley, and chives, and serve immediately.

FREGOLA WITH CORN

Steps:

• In a medium pot, bring lightly salted water to a boil. Add fregola and cook until tender yet springy and chewy, 12 to 14 minutes. Drain, rinse under cool water, and drain again.
• Place a sauté pan over medium-high heat, and add butter, corn or peas, scallions, and vegetable stock. Cook at a lively simmer, stirring occasionally, until the corn or peas are cooked and the broth is reduced by about half, about 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and add fregola and Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano. The mixture should be gooey like macaroni and cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, serve with a green salad.

JUMBO SHRIMP WITH FREGOLA

Steps:

• Peel shrimp, reserving heads and shells. Devein shrimp. Put shrimp heads and shells in large pot. Add celery, carrot, tomato, onion, and 4 1D2 cups water. Set over high heat, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and bring to boil. Lower heat, cover pot, and simmer 40 minutes, skimming occasionally.
• Strain broth into 4-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract flavorful liquid. Add water if necessary to make 4 cups liquid. Return broth to pan, add fregola, and set over high heat. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. Add shrimp and simmer additional 5 minutes.
• Divide among 4 soup bowls. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over each bowl, and sprinkle with parsley and basil.