Leek Risotto With Parmesan Crisps Food

LEEK RISOTTO

Steps:

• Pour the stock or broth into a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
• Keep liquid hot.
• In a large, heavy saucepan over low heat, heat oil.
• Add the leeks and saute about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir until white spots appear in the center of the grains, about 1 minute.
• (It is very important to use Arborio rice!) Add the wine and stir until absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Add one ladleful of the hot stock or broth, adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Continue adding the stock or broth, one ladleful at a time and stirring constantly, until the rice is just tender but slightly firm in the center and the mixture is creamy, 20-25 minutes longer.
• Add the cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir to mix well.
• Serve at once.
• Makes 8 cups.

EASY PARMESAN "RISOTTO"

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the rice and 4 cups of the chicken stock in a Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Cover and bake for 45 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente. Remove from the oven, add the remaining cup of chicken stock, the Parmesan, wine, butter, salt, and pepper, and stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and creamy. Add the peas and stir until heated through. Serve hot.

LEEK RISOTTO WITH PARMESAN CRISPS

Steps:

• Scatter the chopped leeks into a large shallow pan, add the butter and some tarragon leaves and cook over a gentle heat, stirring from time to time, until the leeks soften and become translucent but not coloured, about 12-15 minutes.
• Stir in the rice to coat in the butter, then add the wine and let it bubble until the liquid has pretty much disappeared. Little by little add the hot stock, a couple of ladlefuls at a time at the most. When the rice absorbs the liquid and starts to diminish in the pan, you can add another ladle or so, stirring the rice often. Continue cooking until the rice has become plump and creamy but still has a little bite left in it, about 20 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• The parmesan crisps can be made about ten minutes before the serving the risotto. Place each spoonful of finely grated parmesan into a non-stick pan over a low heat and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon so it looks like a biscuit. Leave it to cook gently, so that the parmesan melts and forms a little crust. Once it is crisp on the bottom, very carefully flip it over using a palette knife. Cook for a minute or two on the other side and then remove from the pan. Serve the risotto in two bowls, both topped with a parmesan crisp.

PANCETTA AND LEEK RISOTTO FOR TWO

Steps:

• Warm the chicken broth in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pancetta to a paper-towel lined plate.
• Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat from the saucepan, then add the garlic, leek, a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the leek is tender and softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the rice, butter and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, until the rice is toasted, smells nutty and turns a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it is completely absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle 1/2 cup of the warm stock into the rice and cook, stirring gently without stopping, until the rice has absorbed the liquid, 2 to 3 minutes (you will know it's time to add more stock when you move the rice aside and no liquid pools in the center). Repeat this process, adding more stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is al dente, 15 to 17 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.
• Stir in the baby spinach, Parmesan, half of the reserved pancetta, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of pepper. Stir until the spinach is wilted and everything is evenly combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Spoon into 2 dinner bowls and top with the remaining pancetta and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

CREAMY LEEK RISOTTO

Steps:

• Put chicken broth in sauce pan and bring to a slow simmer.
• In thick bottomed 2 quart pan melt 1 tablespoons butter, saute chopped leeks, till softened.
• Add 1/2 cup light cream. (I use goat milk)
• salt and pepper to taste.
• Continue cooking until most of the liquid is gone. Set aside.
• In another pan or the same one that has been cleaned, add 2 tablespoons butter and 1 Tbsp of olive oil.
• Saute the minced onions, when softened, add the Arborio rice, stir until the grains turn opaque.
• Add the dry white wine, stir until no liquid is left.
• Add broth to rice 1/2 cup at a time stirring until incorparated.
• 5 minutes before finished add the leeks and the Parmesan cheese.
• Continue cooking until thickened to desired level, stirring constantly.
• Garnish with parsley or stir in before serving.

LEEK & SAGE RISOTTO WITH CRISP BACON

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan, add the leeks and sage and fry for 2 mins until the leeks are starting to soften. Stir in the rice and cook for 1 min, stirring. Add the wine and stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 10-12 mins until the rice is tender.
• Meanwhile, grill the bacon until golden and crisp. Remove the rice from the heat, then stir in 2 tbsp of the Parmesan and freshly ground pepper. Spoon onto a plate, sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and top with the bacon.

LEEK RISOTTO WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Add 1/2 tablespoon oil to a large, wide saucepan, and add the pancetta slices. (It's OK if they're not in one layer, as they will shrink quite a bit.) Turn heat to medium and cook, turning and rearranging the pancetta until lightly browned, crisp, and the fat has rendered, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer with tongs to a paper towel, leaving the fat in the pan.
• Add the stock and 1 cup water to a separate medium saucepan. Transfer the saucepan to a back burner and bring to a simmer over low. Keep warm on the lowest heat.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan that you cooked the pancetta in, and add the leeks, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, over medium-high until wilted and soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring, until grains look slightly translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and cook until nearly absorbed, about 1 minute.
• Add a ladleful of stock to the rice - you want just enough to barely cover the surface of the rice. Cook at a lively simmer, stirring very frequently, until it's nearly absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue adding stock in this way until rice is very creamy, but still al dente, 15 to 20 minutes total. You may not need all of the liquid, but you will probably use most of it.
• Stir in the butter and cheese, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the snap peas. Add more of the remaining liquid if needed to loosen (it should be a bit soupy), and divide among four shallow bowls. Crumble the reserved pancetta over top, and sprinkle with chives, if desired.