Creme Fraiche Risotto With Heirloom Tomatoes And Basil Recipes

TOMATO AND BASIL RISOTTO

Steps:

• Put your stock or broth into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over low heat, with a ladle nearby or in the pot. Make sure that it is well seasoned.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet or a wide, heavy saucepan. Add the onion and a generous pinch of salt, and cook gently until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and garlic and cook, stirring, until the grains of rice are separate and beginning to crackle. Stir in the grated tomatoes, sugar, thyme, and salt to taste and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly and coat the rice, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add the wine and stir until it has evaporated and been absorbed by the rice. Begin adding the simmering stock, a couple of ladlefuls (about 1/2 cup) at a time. The stock should just cover the rice, and should be bubbling, not too slowly but not too quickly. Cook, stirring often, until it is just about absorbed. Add another ladleful or two of the stock and continue to cook in this fashion, adding more stock and stirring when the rice is almost dry. You do not have to stir constantly, but stir often and when you do, stir vigorously. When the rice is just tender all the way through but still chewy (al dente), in 20 to 25 minutes, it is done. Taste now and adjust seasoning.
• Add another ladleful of stock to the rice. Stir in the additional finely diced tomatoes, basil and Parmesan and remove from the heat. The mixture should be creamy (add more stock if it isn't). Serve right away in wide soup bowls or on plates, spreading the risotto in a thin layer rather than a mound.

CREME FRAICHE RISOTTO WITH HEIRLOOM TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• Place a large saucepan or small pot, (around 9″ in diameter) over medium heat.
• Add the olive oil and minced shallot to the pan and sauté until the shallot is tender.
• Add the aborio rice to the pan and sauté until the rice turns slightly translucent. Then, begin to add the water in 1/2 cup increments. Stir vigorously for 30-45 seconds every few minutes, adding an additional 1/2 cup water only when the rice has completely absorbed it's liquid.
• While the risotto cooks, prepare the tomato topping by mixing together the tomatoes and slivered basil together in a bowl. Set the mixture aside until the risotto has finished.
• Continue adding water in 1/2 cup increments and stirring the risotto until it's tender, about 20 minutes. You may need more or less water than is called for in this recipe due to varying circumstances like the rate of evaporation. You'll know the risotto is done when it's doubled in size and the rice is tender, but with a small speck of white remaining in the center of the grain when you bite into it, (al' dente just like pasta).
• When the risotto is finished take it off the heat and stir in the creme fraiche. Add additional sea salt to taste. This step is important because it will be very bland if you don't add additional sea salt!
• Plate the risotto by spooning some into a pasta bowl, top with a generous amount of the tomato mixture, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with a finishing sea salt (see the notes about finishing salt).
• Serve immediately.

BAKED TOMATO, MOZZARELLA & BASIL RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat half the oil in an ovenproof pan or casserole dish, then stir in the onion and cook over a low heat for 8-10 mins until golden. Scatter over the rice and mix well until coated. Pour over the wine, if using, and cook for 2 mins until absorbed. Pour over the hot stock, then give the rice a quick stir. Put the dish in the oven and bake the rice for 10 mins.
• Remove from the oven and stir through the tomatoes, basil, half of the parmesan and some seasoning. Flatten everything out roughly with the back of a spoon, then nestle the chunks of mozzarella evenly into the risotto. Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and the remaining parmesan, and drizzle with the rest of the olive oil. Put the dish back in the oven, and bake everything for another 10-15 mins until the rice is just cooked through, heating it under the grill if you want a deep, golden crust. Leave to stand for a few minutes, scatter with a few extra basil leaves and serve scooped straight from the dish.

TOMATOES WITH BASIL AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• In a cast iron frying pan, or at least a heavy one, melt the butter. Cut the tomatoes in half and season them with salt and pepper.
• Over a low heat, cook the tomatoes, cut side down, for about 10 minutes. (The butter should foam and turn light brown, if it starts getting too dark, your heat is up too high).
• Turn the tomatoes over and add the creme fraiche.
• Leave to heat for 2 more minutes. Stir in the basil. Adjust the salt and pep, and serve.

TOMATO RISOTTO

Steps:

• Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, then add the onion, and season generously with salt. Add pepper to taste, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and cook the onions, stirring, until the onions are barely brown, about 2 minutes. Add red-pepper flakes, garlic, white wine and diced tomatoes, and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes more.
• Add 2 cups boiling water and adjust the heat to a brisk simmer. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring well with a wooden spoon every minute or so.
• When the liquid is absorbed, add remaining 1 cup water and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, until the rice is cooked, but the grains are still firm. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding another splash of water if necessary to loosen the mixture. Turn off the heat, stir in the pecorino and 2 more tablespoons olive oil.
• Transfer to a low, wide serving bowl. Surround the rice with tomato slices and season them with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley and basil. Pass more grated cheese at the table.