Risotto With Kale And Red Beans Food

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.

RISOTTO WITH KALE AND RED BEANS

Steps:

• Put the stock or broth into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over low heat, with a ladle nearby or in the pot. Stack the kale leaves and cut crosswise into thin ribbons. Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet or in a large, wide saucepan. Add the onion and a generous pinch of salt, and cook gently until it is just tender, about 3 minutes. Do not brown.
• Stir in the rice, thyme and the garlic (if using) and stir until the grains separate and begin to crackle. Add the wine and stir until it is no longer visible in the pan. Begin adding the simmering stock, a couple of ladlefuls (about 1/2 cup) at a time. The stock should just cover the rice, and should be bubbling, not too slowly but not too quickly. Cook, stirring often, until it is just about absorbed. Add another ladleful or two of the stock and continue to cook in this fashion, stirring in more stock when the rice is almost dry. You do not have to stir constantly, but stir often.
• After the first two additions of stock, stir in the kale, and continue to cook in the same fashion until the rice is tender all the way through but still chewy, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding salt and pepper to taste. Add the beans and another ladleful of stock to the rice, along with the Parmesan, and remove from the heat. The mixture should be creamy (add more stock if it isn't). Stir for about half a minute, then serve.

RISOTTO WITH BEANS AND KALE

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat, and gently brown the lardons of salt pork or bacon. Add the chopped shallots, lower the heat to medium-low and saute the shallots until they are just turning golden.
• While the shallots are cooking, bring the chicken stock to a boil in another pan and let it simmer.
• Add the rice to the shallots and pork, raise the heat to medium and cook, stirring, until the rice is well coated. Add one cup of stock to the rice and stir it in -- most of it will be absorbed very quickly.
• Add the beans and another cup of stock to the rice, and stir in. Cook for about 5 minutes, adding another half cup of stock from time to time if necessary. The rice should always be surrounded by liquid but never swim in the stock. Stir in the kale with more stock. Continue cooking, stirring and adding half cups of stock for about 20 minutes in all. When done, most of the stock will have been used and the rice will be tender but slightly firm to the bite. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove from the heat, and stir in the cheese if desired. Cover the pan, set aside for 10 to 15 minutes to let the flavors develop, and serve.

RISOTTO WITH BEANS AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan bring broth to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer until needed. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan cook mushrooms, onion, and garlic in hot oil over medium heat about 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add uncooked rice. Cook and stir about 5 minutes more or until rice is golden brown.
• Slowly add 1 cup of the broth to the rice mixture, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir until liquid is absorbed. Add another 1/2 cup of the broth, the zucchini, and carrots to rice mixture, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir until liquid is absorbed. Add another 1 cup broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until the broth is absorbed. (This should take about 20 minutes.)
• Stir the remaining 1/2 cup broth into rice mixture. Cook and stir until rice is slightly creamy and just tender. Stir in beans and Parmesan cheese; heat through. Sprinkle with parsley and additional cheese, if desired.
• Makes 4 main dish or 6 side dish servings.