Frozen Asparagus Risotto With Bacon Food

WILD MUSHROOM AND ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• In an electric kettle or medium saucepan with a lid, combine chicken broth and white wine and heat just to simmering. Keep warm.
• In a large 3 to 4-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and sweat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until the grains are translucent around the edges. Be careful not to allow the grains or the onions to brown.
• Reduce the heat to low. Add enough of the wine and chicken stock just to cover the top of the rice. Stir or move the pan often, until the liquid is completely absorbed into rice. Once absorbed, add another amount of liquid just to cover the rice and continue stirring or moving as before. There should be just enough liquid left to repeat 1 more time. It should take approximately 35 to 40 minutes for all of the liquid to be absorbed. After the last addition of liquid has been mostly absorbed, add the mushrooms and asparagus and stir until risotto is creamy and asparagus is heated through. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan, lemon zest, and nutmeg. Taste and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• *Cook's Note: If fresh wild mushrooms are not available, reconstituted dried mushrooms can be used instead. Place 2 ounces of dried mushrooms into a bowl and cover with warm water. Allow to sit for about 30 minutes or until all the mushrooms are soft and pliable.

FROZEN ASPARAGUS RISOTTO WITH BACON

Steps:

• Take a deep breath and say "Risotta-making is NOT difficult.".
• Cut asparagus into 3/4" pieces. Set aside.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, saute the onion and bacon in 2 T butter for 3 minutes over medium heat.
• Increase to high heat, add wine and reduce to half (about 3 minutes).
• Add rice, salt and pepper and continue stirring on high for 1 minute.
• Add 2 c of the hot chicken stock, lid the pan and turn off the heat.
• Go walk your dog, call your girlfriend, write that chapter in your novel. It can sit there until roughly 10-15 minutes before dinner is served.
• When you return, reheat the broth and crank up the heat on the rice.
• Stir, stir, stir, adding a cup of hot broth everytime it starts to look a bit dry.
• Sample a bit: does it seem a bit chewy but almost ready?.
• If so, add the asparagus and stir until heated through, about 2 minutes.
• Sample again. Ready? Remove from heat and add 1 T butter and cheese.

BOOSTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH "RISOTTO"

Steps:

• Place a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring frequently, until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the fat in the pan.
• Using the same pan, prepare the butternut squash risotto according to package instructions. Season with some salt and pepper. In the final 2 minutes of cooking, add the peas and stir to combine. Once peas are heated through, stir in three-quarters of the bacon. Transfer the risotto to a serving platter and garnish with the remaining bacon and fresh herbs. Serve immediately.

RISOTTO WITH BACON AND KALE

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a large heavy saucepan or braising pan, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and drain on paper towels.
• Add the onions, salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir for 2 minutes. Add 3 cups broth and the lemon juice. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Cover with a tight lid and bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove the pan from the oven and return it to the stove over medium-low heat. Remove the lid and stir in the chicken, kale, roasted vegetables and 1/4 cup chicken broth. Stir until the kale is wilted, about 5 minutes, adding extra broth, as needed, until the risotto is creamy. Stir in the cooked bacon and cheese. Ladle into bowls and serve.

ASPARAGUS SEA SCALLOP RISOTTO

Steps:

• Prepare the asparagus: Wash the asparagus and snap each stalk in half. Cut the bottom halves into pieces and boil them for 10 minutes in 12 ounces of water. Discard these woody bits and save the water. Cut the top halves into three portions. Boil these more tender pieces in the same water for 5 minutes. Set the asparagus pieces to one side and save the water that now has been infused with the asparagus flavor.
• Cook the scallops: Drain the scallops and dry well between layers of paper towel. Put a heavy bottomed 10" or 12" sauté pan over medium-high heat and add a Tablespoon of oil and a teaspoon of butter. Salt and pepper one side of the scallops and, when the pan is nice and hot, cook the scallops for 2 minutes on the seasoned side. Remove to a plate, salt and pepper the other side of the scallops, and put any liquid from the pan in with the asparagus water. Add another Tablespoon of oil and a little butter and cook the other side of the scallops for 2 minutes.
• Break the barely cooked scallops into pieces. Remove to a plate and keep the scallops warm in a 200º oven.
• Put any juices from the pan in with the asparagus nectar. Deglaze the pan with a few Tablespoons of water or white wine, as desired, and add the liquid to the asparagus water.
• Bring the asparagus water back to temperature, add the 2 cups of broth and the other 8 ounces of water and let simmer. Depending on the saltiness of the broth, you may want to add a little more salt, according to taste. By now, you will have a very nice broth with which to season the rice. Keep it hot but not boiling as you cook the rice.
• Sautee the chopped onion in 2 Tablespoons of oil and a Tablespoon of butter over medium heat until translucent. Add the dry rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the white wine and simmer for 1 more minute. Raise the heat on the burner to medium high and set the timer for 16 minutes.
• Add 1 cup of the hot broth and allow it to cook in for 3 or 4 minutes. Then add another cup of broth, stirring to lift the rice off of the bottom.
• Add more hot broth as necessary to keep the rice wet and just a little soupy, keeping the heat fairly high throughout.
• Three minutes before the time is up, add the scallop pieces and any juice from the plate. One minute before time is up add the asparagus and carefully incorporate so the tips don't break apart.
• Add a small amount of broth if the rice is super-absorbent. There should always be a little extra liquid in the pan.
• When the time is up, remove from the heat and mix in the cheese. Top the risotto with a spoonful of parmesan and serve piping hot with crusty bread. Such good flavors - enjoy!

BULGUR RISOTTO WITH PEAS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté until light golden, about 5 minutes. Mix in bulgur. Add 1/2 cup stock and cook until absorbed, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup stock 2 more times, simmering after each addition and stirring often until liquid is absorbed. Mix in asparagus. Continue adding stock 1/2 cup at a time until bulgur is just tender and mixture is creamy, simmering after each addition and stirring often until stock is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Add peas and cook 3 minutes longer. Stir in 3/4 cup Parmesan, cream, tarragon and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Serve, passing additional grated Parmesan, if desired.

CARAMELIZED ONION RISOTTO WITH CORN AND BACON

Steps:

• Light a grill or preheat the oven to 350.
• Grill or roast the corn in the middle of the oven for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender.
• Let cool slightly, then remove the husks and cut the kernels off the cob into a bowl; reserve the cobs.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large nonreactive saucepan.
• Add the sliced onions and cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until caramelized, about 25 minutes.
• Add to the corn kernels.
• Add the bacon to the saucepan and cook over high heat, stirring, until browned and crisp, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.
• In another large saucepan, bring the chicken stock and corn cobs just to a boil; keep warm.
• Meanwhile, heat the bacon fat.
• In a food processor, finely chop the onion, carrot and celery.
• Add to the bacon fat and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir until evenly coated with fat.
• Add the white wine and stir constantly until almost all the liquid has been absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the corn, sliced onions and bacon.
• Add 1 cup of the chicken stock to the rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until absorbed.
• Continue adding stock, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until absorbed before adding more.
• Cook until the rice is just tender, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
• If the risotto is too sticky, add a little more stock.
• Serve, garnished with chervil sprigs.
• NOTE:.
• To prepare corn for grilling, pull back the husks and remove the silk. Pull the husks back up over the corn and soak briefly.

RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND PROSCIUTTO

Steps:

• Prepare and trim asparagus*. Cut stalks into 2 cm long pieces, reserve the tips.
• Place ⅔ of stalk pieces, 1 cup broth and 1 cup water in blender and puree until almost smooth. Set aside.
• Sauté onion in olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter for 5 minutes in a large pan, over medium heat.
• Add prosciutto and sauté for 3 more minutes.
• Add rice and stir to coat the grains for 2 minutes. Add wine and cook until absorbed, stirring often, about 2 minutes.
• Add ½ cup stock and simmer until liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 4 minutes. Continue to cook for 15 minutes, adding more stock as needed and allowing liquid to be absorbed before adding more, stirring often.
• Add remaining asparagus stalk pieces and reserved asparagus tips and continue cooking until rice is just tender and mixture is creamy, adding stock as needed and stirring often, about 10 minutes longer.
• Add reserved asparagus puree and stir until absorbed, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the remaining butter, Parmesan and cream but do not return to the heat.
• * Slightly bend each stalk and allow it to „snap" naturally - it will break exactly at the point where the stalk begins to be thick and woody. Remove these hard parts.

ASPARAGUS-AND-LEMON RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat in another saucepan. Cook onion, stirring frequently, until soft, 6 to 7 minutes. Add rice, cook, stirring, until edges are translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring, just until evaporated.
• Add 1/2 cup hot stock; cook, stirring, until almost absorbed. Continue adding 1/2 cup stock in this manner until liquid is creamy and rice is al dente, about 20 minutes total (you may not need to add all the stock). Add asparagus with the last addition of stock, and the peas about 1 minute before risotto is done.
• Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest and juice, parsley, cheese, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional cheese and lemon zest.

RISOTTO WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 3-1/2 quart sauté pan over medium heat.
• Add onion and garlic.
• Cook, stirring often, until onion is soft but not browned, about 4- 5 minutes.
• Add rice.
• Cook, stirring, until grains look opaque, about 2- 3 minutes.
• Add broth, wine and frozen peas.
• Stir to combine.
• Increase heat to medium-high, cover and bring to a boil, stirring often.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered.
• Stir occasionally.
• Cook until rice is tender and almost all of the broth has been absorbed, about 25- 30 minutes.
• Rice should be tender but not mushy.
• Remove from heat.
• Add cheese and stir to combine.
• Season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Serve warm, with additional grated cheese to top if desired.

BACON AND ASPARAGUS FRITTATA

Steps:

• In a 9- or 10-in. ovenproof skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 1 Tbsp. drippings. Heat reserved drippings on medium-high. Add asparagus, onion and garlic; saute until onion is tender. Crumble bacon; set aside a third. In a large bowl, combine remaining bacon, eggs, parsley, salt and pepper. , Pour egg mixture into skillet; stir. Top with tomato, cheese and reserved bacon. Cover and cook over medium-low until eggs are nearly set, 10-15 minutes. Preheat broiler; place skillet 6 in. from heat. Broil until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

BACON RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cook and stir the diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon and reserve.
• Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a saucepan over high heat; reduce heat to low to keep the chicken stock hot.
• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion begins to turn golden brown at the edges, about 2 minutes. Pour in the rice and stir until the rice is coated in butter and has started to toast, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; stir in one-third of the hot chicken stock and continue stirring until the rice has absorbed the liquid and turned creamy. Repeat this process twice more, stirring constantly. Stirring in the broth should take 15 to 20 minutes in all. When finished, the rice should be tender, yet slightly firm.
• Remove the risotto from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, the Parmesan cheese, and the reserved bacon. Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.

EASY RISOTTO WITH BACON & PEAS

Steps:

• Finely chop 1 onion. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and a knob of butter in a pan, add the onions and fry until lightly browned (about 7 minutes).
• Add 6 chopped rashers streaky bacon and fry for a further 5 minutes, until it starts to crisp.
• Add 300g risotto rice and 1l hot vegetable stock, and bring to the boil. Stir well, then reduce the heat and cook, covered, for 15-20 minutes until the rice is almost tender.
• Stir in 100g frozen peas, add a little salt and pepper and cook for a further 3 minutes, until the peas are cooked.
• Serve sprinkled with freshly grated parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.

EASY LEMON RISOTTO WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Heat the oil over medium heat in a skillet (one that has a tight-fitting lid).
• Saute the onion for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the garlic and sautee for one minute (don't let it start to brown, just become fragrant).
• Add in the Arborio rice and stir for one minute until coated with oil.
• Add in the veggie broth and bring to a boil.
• Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Stir in frozen peas. If the rice is drying out, add a little water.
• Cover and return to low heat for 5 more minutes or until all of the liquid is absorbed, the rice is tender and the peas are heated through.
• Add Parmesan cheese, juice of one lemon, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Top with lemon zest and serve.

PEA, ASPARAGUS, AND FAVA BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk olive oil, Pecorino, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a medium bowl to blend. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Set dressing aside.
• If using fresh fava beans, cook in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until tender, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a colander set in a bowl of ice water (do not cook frozen beans). Drain and peel; place in a large bowl.
• Return water in saucepan to a boil; add asparagus and cook until just tender, about 4 minutes. Using tongs, transfer to colander in ice water.
• If using fresh peas, return water in saucepan to a boil; add peas and cook until tender, about 3 minutes (do not cook frozen peas). Drain; transfer to colander in ice water. Drain vegetables. Add to bowl with fava beans.
• Combine vegetable oil and shallot in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until shallot is golden brown and crisp, 10-12 minutes. Transfer shallot to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add dressing to bowl with vegetables, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Transfer salad to a serving platter and top with shallot and bacon.
• DO AHEAD: Dressing and vegetables can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and chill.