Limoncello Risotto Food

LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips (reserve the lemons for another use). Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a 2-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for 4 days at room temperature.
• Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least 4 hours and up to 1 month.

LIMONCELLO RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a large pot over high heat, bring broth and water to a boil.
• Add carrots, asparagus, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon sage and salt and pepper to taste. Cover, lower the heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the carrots are just tender.
• Drain the vegetables in a colander and reserve the broth in a separate bowl.
• Remove the bay leaves and discard.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and cook until softened.
• Add rice and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add the Limoncello and stir for one minute until the liquid is absorbed.
• Then, add 1 cup of the reserved broth. Stir constantly until the rice absorbs the broth.
• Add the remaining broth one cup at a time, stirring continuously after each addition until most of the broth is absorbed.
• When complete, the risotto will be creamy. Test the rice to see if it is done and if satisfied, remove from the heat.
• Add the remaining teaspoon of sage, the reserved vegetables, green peas, grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and stir well until the cheese is melted and the risotto is thick and creamy.
• Serve immediately and savor the fantastic combination of flavors!

LIMONCELLO RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Position a rack in the center of the oven. Spray a 9 x13 x 2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• For the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a medium bowl and mix until moistened. Press the mixture evenly in the prepared pan and 1/4 inch up the sides. Bake for 8 minutes and set aside to cool.
• For the filling, place the cream cheese and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the ricotta and beat for another minute, scraping down the bowl. With the mixer on low, add the limoncello, vanilla, and lemon zest and beat for one minute. With the mixer on medium-low, add the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and mix until the batter is smooth. Pour over the crust.
• Place the baking pan in a roasting pan large enough to hold the baking pan completely flat. Place the pan in the oven and carefully pour enough of the hottest tap water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the baking pan. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, until almost set in the center. (It will still be a little jiggly when you shake the pan gently.) Turn off the heat and leave the cheesecake in the oven in the water bath for 15 minutes to prevent the cheesecake from cracking. Take the baking pan out of the water bath and place on a rack to cool completely. Wrap the entire pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. Sprinkle with extra grated lemon zest, cut in 12 pieces, and serve cold.

LIMONCELLO DESSERT

Steps:

• Place 1 scoop of lemon sorbet along side 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream in each dessert cup. Top each serving with 1 jigger of the lemon liqueur. Grate the zest of 1 lemon on each bowl of sorbet and ice cream. Garnish cups with wafer cookies sticking out of the ice cream, then serve.

LEMON ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• For the asparagus: Cut off the asparagus tops and reserve. Chop the stems into pieces, discarding the woody bits. (If the stems are really thick and tough looking, peel them first.) Heat the oil and butter in a saute pan. Add the stem pieces and cook 5 minutes. Add the garlic and then the asparagus tips. Pour over 1/4 cup/60 ml water, season with salt and pepper and cook until tender, 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the asparagus. (If you like, you can add a sprig of fresh rosemary to the dish with the garlic and asparagus tips, then remove it at the end)
• For the risotto: On a separate burner, in a pot, bring the chicken stock to a simmer. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a saucepan and cook the onions and shallots until soft, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the rice and stir until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the wine and reduce until almost dry. Add a ladle of stock and cook, stirring, until it disappears. Continue one ladle at a time, until the rice is tender and creamy, about 30 minutes. To serve: Remove from the heat and stir through the asparagus, remaining tablespoon of butter, lemon zest and half the cheese. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Spoon the risotto into bowls and scatter over the remaining cheese.

SMOKED SALMON & LEMON RISOTTO

Steps:

• Fry the onion in the oil for 5 mins. Add the rice and garlic, then cook for 2 mins, stirring continuously. Pour in a third of the stock and set the timer to 20 mins. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the stock has been absorbed, then add half the rest of the stock and carry on cooking, stirring a bit more frequently, until that has been absorbed.
• Pour in the last of the stock, stir, then simmer until cooked and creamy. Take from the heat and add the chopped salmon, mascarpone, parsley and lemon zest. Grind in some black pepper, but don't add salt as the salmon will be salty enough. Leave for 5 mins to settle, then taste and add a little lemon juice if you like. Serve topped with reserved salmon (roughly torn) and some rocket.

RISOTTO WITH ARTICHOKES AND LIMONCELLO

Steps:

• Bring the stock to a gentle simmer in a saucepan.
• Meanwhile, in a broad skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 T butter with the olive oil. Saute the artichokes, letting them get some color. Add the garlic and onion and saute them until soft but not browned.
• Add the rice to the pan with the artichokes and saute until the rice is translucent, 1 - 2 minutes (adding more oil or butter if the pan is too dry.) Stir in the limoncello and wine and continue to stir until the liquid is just about boiled away. Turn the heat down to medium. From here, the cooking process should take 20 - 25 minutes.
• Gradually add the simmering chicken stock to the rice, about a cup a at a time, stirring frequently. Add the next cup of broth when the previous addition is almost absorbed and you can see the bottom of the pan when stirring.
• Toward the end of cooking time, taste the risotto for texture. It should be al dente, but not crunchy. Season with salt and pepper. When the rice is cooked, remove the pan from the heat, stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter, the cheese, and the half and half.