Risotto is one of those simple, hearty, low fat glorious dishes. It is essentially arborio rice, stock, parmesan and whatever ingredients you wish to include.
For Halloween or any harvest meal, try squash which is in season and have that lovely orange color. Roasting the squash first imparts great flavour. Unfortunately risotto does not get better the next day. In fact you end up with a gluey mess. But don’t despair, you can form leftover risotto into patties or balls, roll in crumbs and pan fry. Delicious.
Squash Risotto
Servings 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 whole butternut squash
- 6 cups non fat chicken broth
- 1 splash EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp. saffron (or ground cumin)
- 1 cup white wine
- 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. fresh sage chopped
- 4 cups baby spinach chopped
Instructions
- Slice open squash, seed and then cut into strips, seasoning with salt and olive oil. Place on a shallow baking sheet.
- Roast skin side down in a preheated oven at 450°F until tender and golden, about 50 minutes. Cut flesh from the skin and cube into 1/2 inch pieces. This can be done ahead of time. Otherwise you can start the risotto when the squash has about 10 minutes left to cook.
- Simmer the broth in a medium sized pot.
- In a large heavy pot, add onion in 2 tbsp. of EVOO, stirring until softened, about 6minutes on medium heat. Add the rice, garlic, and cumin, stirring for 3 to 4minutes. This coats the rice and prepares it for its transformation into creamy goodness.
- We are now going to begin adding the liquid. Add the wine and stir until it has been absorbed, and then begin adding the hot broth, 1/2 cup broth at a time stirring frequently, until broth is absorbed. Keep repeating until rice is creamy-looking but still al dente, about 18minutes total.
- Stir in the squash, then stir in cheese, sage, spinach, stirring to combine.
- Serve risotto immediately, grating fresh parmesan on top.
- I always make more than I need so I can make risotto cakes the next day, shaping into patties, dipping in egg and crumbs and then pan frying. Serve plain or with your favorite sauce.