Cheater Risotto Recipes

CHEF JOHN'S BAKED MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Melt butter in large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; season with salt, and cook and stir mushrooms until brown. They will begin browning after the moisture evaporates.
• Reduce heat to medium and stir in onion. Sprinkle with black pepper and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until onions are translucent and soft.
• Pour rice into skillet and stir until each rice grain is coated with butter. Season with salt.
• Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the rice mixture. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring rice until liquid is completely absorbed by the rice.
• Pour another cup chicken stock into the rice and stir until mixture comes to a simmer.
• Bake in preheated oven until grains are almost tender but still slightly firm, about 15 minutes. Transfer skillet to stovetop. Season with more salt, if necessary.
• Combine the remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth and cream; pour into the skillet. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until rice is tender, 1 or 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
• Drizzle 2 tablespoons cream over rice. Add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and chives; stir. Serve immediately.

CHEATER RISOTTO

Steps:

• In 3+ cup microwave-safe bowl, combine all ingredients EXCEPT cheese and any extras you want to add.
• Microwave uncovered on high for 4 minutes.
• Stir thoroughly. (This develops the creamy sauce).
• Repeat above 2 steps until almost all liquid is absorbed (approx 16 mins in 1200 watt microwave).
• Add cheese and stir thoroughly.
• Let rest for 3 minutes and then enjoy.

NEXT LEVEL THREE-CHEESE RISOTTO

Steps:

• If you want to make the cheese crust, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Season the cheese with the cracked black pepper and scatter evenly over a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Bake for 8-10 mins or until golden, then set aside to cool. Break into shards. Will keep in an airtight container for up to two days.
• Put the stock and parmesan or grana padano rinds in a saucepan, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Melt one third of the butter in a large, shallow saucepan, add the onion and fry gently over a low heat for 8-10 mins or until soft but still white. If the onions look dry at any point add a touch more butter to the pan.
• Stir the rice into the onions, turn the heat up slightly and cook for 3 mins, stirring until the rice is coated in butter and turns a pearly translucent white. Pour in the wine and stir for about 2 mins until the alcohol has evaporated.
• Add a ladleful of the simmering stock to the rice and stir well until absorbed, then continue the process. The rice should be bubbling gently and each addition should be mostly absorbed before more stock is added. After 15-20 mins the rice should be tender with a slight chalky bite. The overall consistency should be saucy but not sloppy - you should be able to see the bottom of the pan when you draw a spoon through it.
• Take the pan off the heat and leave to stand for a minute, then vigorously stir in the remaining butter followed by the mascarpone, gruyère and parmesan, then stir with enough vigour that you hear the rice slapping against the side of the pan. Keep on stirring until the butter and cheese have melted together and the stock is thick and oozing. Serve the risotto ladled into warm bowls, topped with the shards of cheese crust and a drizzle of truffle oil, if using, plus a good grinding of black pepper.

CHEATER'S TIRAMISU

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the bottom only of a 9x13-inch glass baking pan.
• Combine cake mix, water, oil and eggs in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until well combined. Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 29 to 34 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Poke 12 holes in the cooled cake with the base of a serving spoon or any utensil that has a rounded bottom.
• Whip whipping cream, adding sugar and vanilla when it's about halfway whipped; you want it to hold its shape, but don't overwhip.
• Pour coffee over the cake, then immediately spread whipped cream evenly over top. Dust with cocoa powder, covering it completely. Cut and serve or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

CREAMY, CHEESY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Warm chicken broth either on stove or in microwave.
• In a 2 quart saucepan or large skillet (non stick works well) heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add shallots and saute for 1-2 minutes until softened.
• Raise heat to medium high, add rice and salt, stirring constantly for 2 minutes, until rice just begins to turn slightly golden in color.
• Add wine and stir until almost completely evaporated.
• Begin adding chicken broth, about 1/2 cup at a time.
• After each 1/2 cup addition of broth, stir frequently, until broth is almost evaporated and add the next 1/2 cup.
• Do the same for each addition of broth, stirring frequently.
• Begin tasting the rice for doneness during the last two additions of broth for tenderness--it should be al dente-tender with a slight bite to it.
• If rice is not done after the last addition, continue cooking as above adding additional 1/2 cups of broth until done. The entire process should take about 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in cheese, cayenne and pecans or pine nuts. You can also add the additional teaspoon of butter if you want it extra rich at this point.
• Adjust the salt if needed, remembering that there is a lot of salt in cheese and possibly in the type of broth you use.
• Serve hot.