Friday, January 9, 2009

Risotto


I labeled this as risotto and not shrimp and edamame risotto because you can do so much with it. In fact, it usually just has edamame but I threw shrimp in because I had some. Risotto is so great, but it does require a lot of attention (stirring) so this isn't something you can make on your own unless you have done all of the prep work in advance- once you start the cooking process you really need to stay at the stove. Please see my notes at the end for other ingredients to add.

3 cups chicken broth- warm
1 cup warm water
1 tbs. butter
2 tbs. olive oil
1 cup risotto rice
1/2 cup diced regular onion (white or brown)
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2-3/4 cup shelled cooked edamame (frozen is fine)
12+ shrimp
3 Laughing Cow small cheese wheels (the kind in the red wax you used to make fake fingernails out of)

OK, so if you are cooking on your own dice everything and measure out the chicken broth and water now. Add the water to the chicken broth so you have 4 cups of liquid.
Cook the edamame according to the package and set aside.
Cook your shrimp and set aside.
In a medium skillet (I use a 12" non-stick skillet) melt the butter in the olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until they are translucent (3-4 min.). Add the rice and cook for another 2 minutes or so until it's kind of translucent too.
Now for the fun part!
Set your kitchen timer for 20 min. Pour one cup of chicken broth/water mix into the pan. Stir constantly until the rice has absorbed the broth. Continue to add chicken broth/water 1 cup at a time until the rice has absorbed it and looks creamy (it takes about 20 minutes). Stir constantly!
Remove from heat, stir in cheese (I usually break it into chunks) until it melts, then add edamame and cooked shrimp.
Mmmmmm, this serves 4 as a main dish or 8 as a side.
*** Other Options***
Don't have edamame and shrimp laying around? You can put just about anything in risotto. I like asparagus and prosciutto with lemon zest, plain edamame with no meat, experiment with other veggies and see what you like. It's easy, just pre-cook your added ingredients and add them in after the cheese part.