Seafood And Chorizo Risotto

CHORIZO & PEA RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan, tip in the chorizo and fry until it is crisp and all the oil has been released. Remove a quarter of the chorizo with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Tip the rice into the pan, stir to coat it in the oil and toast for a min or so, then pour in the vinegar. Once the vinegar has evaporated, add a ladleful of the stock, stir then, once absorbed, add a bit more. Continue doing this for about 20 mins until most of the stock has been absorbed and the rice has swollen but still has a slight bite.
• Tip in the peas, parmesan and the remaining stock. Give everything a good stir. Once the cheese has melted, season with black pepper, then divide between bowls, topping each portion with the remaining crisp chorizo and extra grated parmesan.

SEAFOOD RISOTTO (RISOTTO AI FRUITTI DI MARE)

Steps:

• 1. In a small saucepan, warm the fish or vegetable stock. Keep warm.
• 2. In a large saucepan over moderately low heat, warm the olive oil. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and the onion, and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender (there should be no color), about 5 minutes. Add the rice and toast lightly for 1 minute without letting the rice or onion take on any color.
• 3. Add the wine and cook until almost completely absorbed. Add most of the stock (it should come about 1/2 inch above the rice) and bring to a simmer. Cook the risotto, stirring occasionally, until the rice has absorbed some of the liquid, about 8 minutes.
• 4. Add the clams, mussels, squid, scallops, and tomatoes, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the seafood is cooked and the rice is al dente, about 6 minutes more. As the rice continues to absorb the liquid, add more as needed.
• 5. Remove the risotto from the heat and add the parsley, garlic, brandy, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, if using, and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir well to release the starches and make the risotto creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

SHRIMP AND CHORIZO RISOTTO

Steps:

• 1. Put saffron in small dish, pour a half cup chicken stock over it and set aside.
• 2. Heat one tablespoon oil in large skillet to very hot, add shrimp and stir. Sprinkle with paprika and stir-fry just until shrimp begin to brown but are not fully cooked, 2-4 minutes. Season with cayenne pepper and remove from heat.
• 3. Add butter and remaining oil and reheat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft, working up anything stuck to the skillet, 5-6 minutes. Add the chorizo, saute a couple of minutes more, then stir in cumin and rice. Saute, stirring, until the rice turns opaque, 5-6 minutes. Stir in the saffron mixture and wine. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon over medium heat, until most of the liquid has evaporated.
• 4. Add about 1/2 cup of the hot broth to the rice, stirring constantly until the broth is absorbed. Continue adding the remaining broth 1/2 cup at a time, waiting until each addition is absorbed before adding more. Continue until the rice is tender, about 35 to 45 minutes. The rice should have a creamy consistency. Add the reserved shrimp, parmesan, parsley and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve at once.

TOMATO & CHORIZO RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and sizzle the chorizo for 1 min until some of the oil starts to come out. Add the onion and cook for 5 mins until soft, then add the risotto rice and cook for 1 min. Splash in the vinegar, then add the tomatoes and stir well.
• Gradually add the hot stock, a ladleful at a time - stir the rice until the stock is absorbed, then add the next ladleful. With the last ladleful of stock, add the peas and keep stirring until the rice is cooked. Turn off the heat and stir through the Parmesan and parsley, if using. Serve straight from the pan, with extra Parmesan, if you like.