Vermont Risotto Food

THE BEST RISOTTO

Steps:

• Warm the chicken stock in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
• Heat the olive oil in another medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves and 3 tablespoons butter, stirring until the butter has melted, about 1 minute.
• Add the rice and toast, stirring only once, until it smells nutty and starts to turn light golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has evaporated completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle one 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, 17 to 19 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. (You may have a little stock left over. If so, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.) If you prefer your risotto on the saucier side, add more stock 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
• Stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few more grinds of black pepper and serve with more Parmesan, if desired.

VERMONT RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the broth in a medium saucepan until it simmers.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add in the onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until soft and fragrant.
• Add in the rice and stir for 3 minutes.
• Add the vinegar and cook, stirring until the liquid is nearly absorbed.
• Add the broth, 1/4 cup at a time, maintaining a slow simmer.
• Stir constantly and allow each addition of liquid to be absorbed before adding the next.
• The risotto will be done about 35 minutes after the vinegar is added.
• Taste the dish for texture; if the rice is soft, the cooking is complete.
• Otherwise, add another 1/4 cup water and continue to simmer/stir until the texture is right.
• Remove from heat; stir in the cheddar cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately.

RISOTTO AL VERMOUTH

Steps:

• Place broth in a pot and heat until boiling. Over medium heat, warm up your skillet and pour in the olive oil. Add the onions and saute until translucent. Reduce heat and add the rice, allowing it to cook for 3-4 minutes. Increase the heat to medium, add the vermouth and stir constantly with a wooden spoon. Once vermouth has evaporated, add the boiling broth to the skillet one ladle at a time. Add a dash of salt and bring rice to a boil, then reduce heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the skillet. Rice will take aprox 16-18 minutes to finish cooking.
• When the risotto is ready, remove it from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle and mix in parmesan cheese. To plate: Place heaping spoonful of risotto on a plate with some lovely Italian salami, a slice of fresh cheese and some pickles.