Leek Pancetta Risotto With Fines Herbes Recipes

PANCETTA AND LEEK RISOTTO FOR TWO

Steps:

• Warm the chicken broth in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pancetta to a paper-towel lined plate.
• Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the rendered fat from the saucepan, then add the garlic, leek, a pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the leek is tender and softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the rice, butter and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, until the rice is toasted, smells nutty and turns a light golden brown, about 4 minutes. Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it is completely absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle 1/2 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, 15 to 17 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.
• Stir in the baby spinach, Parmesan, half of the reserved pancetta, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of pepper. Stir until the spinach is wilted and everything is evenly combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Spoon into 2 dinner bowls and top with the remaining pancetta and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

FUNKED OUT LEEK AND PANCETTA HASH

Steps:

• Cut the red potatoes in half. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add the potatoes and cook until tender, approximately 10 minutes. Drain the potatoes and set aside.
• In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add the oil. Add the pancetta and cook until crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the leeks and cook until softened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the potatoes and toss well to combine. Stir in the smoked paprika and red pepper flakes and cook for 5 minutes. Mix well, then add the fresh herbs. Season the hash, to taste, with salt and pepper.

LEEK & PANCETTA RISOTTO WITH FINES HERBES

Steps:

• Put the parsley, chervil, tarragon, 4 Tbs. of the olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Using an immersion blender, blend until a smooth paste forms. Set the fines herbes puree aside. In a sauté pan or a risotto pan over medium heat, sauté the pancetta until crisp, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a small bowl. Pour off all but 1 Tbs. of the fat from the pan and add the remaining 2 Tbs. oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, 15 to 17 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the rice and pancetta and stir well. Cook, stirring, until the rice is translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine and stir until it is absorbed, about 1 minute. Add the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until it is almost completely absorbed before adding more. When the rice is tender but firm to the bite, after 20 to 25 minutes, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the butter, cheese and fines herbes puree, and season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6.

LEEK RISOTTO WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Add 1/2 tablespoon oil to a large, wide saucepan, and add the pancetta slices. (It's OK if they're not in one layer, as they will shrink quite a bit.) Turn heat to medium and cook, turning and rearranging the pancetta until lightly browned, crisp, and the fat has rendered, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer with tongs to a paper towel, leaving the fat in the pan.
• Add the stock and 1 cup water to a separate medium saucepan. Transfer the saucepan to a back burner and bring to a simmer over low. Keep warm on the lowest heat.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan that you cooked the pancetta in, and add the leeks, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, over medium-high until wilted and soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring, until grains look slightly translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and cook until nearly absorbed, about 1 minute.
• Add a ladleful of stock to the rice - you want just enough to barely cover the surface of the rice. Cook at a lively simmer, stirring very frequently, until it's nearly absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue adding stock in this way until rice is very creamy, but still al dente, 15 to 20 minutes total. You may not need all of the liquid, but you will probably use most of it.
• Stir in the butter and cheese, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the snap peas. Add more of the remaining liquid if needed to loosen (it should be a bit soupy), and divide among four shallow bowls. Crumble the reserved pancetta over top, and sprinkle with chives, if desired.

LEEK RISOTTO

Steps:

• Pour the stock or broth into a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
• Keep liquid hot.
• In a large, heavy saucepan over low heat, heat oil.
• Add the leeks and saute about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir until white spots appear in the center of the grains, about 1 minute.
• (It is very important to use Arborio rice!) Add the wine and stir until absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Add one ladleful of the hot stock or broth, adjust the heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Continue adding the stock or broth, one ladleful at a time and stirring constantly, until the rice is just tender but slightly firm in the center and the mixture is creamy, 20-25 minutes longer.
• Add the cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir to mix well.
• Serve at once.
• Makes 8 cups.

BAKED RISOTTO WITH FINES HERBES AND LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly butter a 2-quart oval baking dish. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leek, onion, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 10 minutes. (Do not let brown.)
• Add rice and stir to thoroughly coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until you hear the rice toasting (it sizzles and pops), about 2 minutes. Add wine and increase heat to medium-high. Simmer until pot is almost dry, about 3 minutes. Add 3 cups broth, bring to a simmer, and transfer to baking dish. Bake risotto 5 minutes and stir. Bake another 5 minutes and stir again, then bake until liquid is absorbed and rice is just tender, about 5 more minutes.
• Remove risotto from oven and stir in remaining tablespoon butter, Parmesan, herbs, and lemon zest. Gradually add 1/2 cup warm broth, stirring, until rice is creamy. (For creamier rice, add more broth, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it reaches desired consistency.) Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately. If risotto thickens upon sitting, add more broth to loosen as desired.