James Martin Prawn Risotto Food

PRAWN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring 1litre/13⁄4pints water to the boil in a large pan, add 1 tbsp salt, then tip in the prawns, garlic and bay and return to the boil for 3-5 minutes until cooked, depending on the size of the prawns. Cool then shell the prawns. If they are large, you may wish to slice them, but leave smaller ones whole. Return the heads and shells to the stock and continue to boil for 20 minutes.
• Put a medium size, heavy bottomed pan with a tight fitting lid on a low heat. Tip in the olive oil and 25g/1oz of the butter, and cook the shallots or onion for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add 1 tbsp of stock to stop them colouring, if necessary.
• Stir in the rice so it absorbs all the buttery oil. When it is opaque and rustling as you stir, pour in all the wine. Keep stirring while the rice absorbs the wine - it should not evaporate into the air, so keep the heat low.
• Meanwhile, strain the stock, return to the pan, top up with water and turn up the heat. Turn up the heat under the rice, too, as you need a moderate to lively heat. Stir the rice and add stock as needed to keep a veil of water above the level of rice for 10 minutes.
• Add the prawns and tomato purée. From this point on I start to add less and less stock every time, to avoid the risk of forcing the rice to absorb too much stock. Start to taste the odd grain of rice. You want to stop cooking when it still has a tiny crunchy uncooked bit in the centre.
• Season the risotto with salt and white pepper. Take the pan off the heat, add the remaining butter and enough stock to cover the risotto by about 2.5-5cm/1-2in, you have to judge how much it will absorb. Stir well, cover and leave it to rest for 10 minutes. Stir in the chopped parsley and serve at once.

LEMONY PRAWN & PEA RISOTTO

Steps:

• Peel the prawns, keeping the heads and shells. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan and fry the prawn shells and heads with the sliced chilli until they have toasted and changed colour. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer.
• 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 sweat 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 totally evaporated. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring with each addition until absorbed. Stir through the prawns and peas. Continue adding 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. When you draw a wooden spoon through it, there should be a wake that holds for a few moments but not longer. Cook until the prawns change colour. Stir through the chopped chilli, lemon juice and remaining olive oil. Let the risotto rest for a few mins, then serve, topped with the lemon zest.

GARLIC PRAWN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Blanch peas and zucchini in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain, refresh under cold water and drain again.
• Set aside.
• Heat oil in a large frypan, add onion and saffron, and cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes or until onion is softened but not coloured.
• Add the rice, garlic and mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• Add lemon rind and a third of the stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Repeat twice by separately adding the remaining thirds of stock.
• Add prawns, blanched vegetables and lemon juice, and cook for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
• Stir in parsley and season.

PRAWN (SHRIMP) RISOTTO WITH SAFFRON AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large, heavy pan. Add the onion, garlic and chilli and heat until golden.
• Meanwhile, shell all the prawns but one per person, discarding the shells but retaining the heads.
• Add the rice to the onion and stir until well covered with oil.
• Reduce the heat and add saffron and white wine to the rice, stirring until the wine is mostly absorbed.
• Add the prawn heads to the mix and ladle in the fish stock, about 100ml at a time, waiting until it is absorbed by the rice before adding another ladle.
• When the rice is almost done (it should be a soft, creamy consistency), add the fish meat, two whole prawns and basil.
• Turn the heat to high and cook, stirring, until the prawns are *just* done - don't overcook or they will turn rubbery.
• Season with salt and pepper - remove the heads if you wish.
• Just before serving, add the butter and stir in well.
• Serve garnished with a whole prawn.