Radicchiorisotto Recipes

PERFECTLY GRILLED RADICCHIO

Steps:

• Cut the radicchio in quarters lengthwise, being sure to keep some of the stem attached to each quarter. Trim off any dark bits of stem. Submerge the radicchio quarters in ice water for 1 hour to remove some bitterness. Put a plate on top of the radicchio to keep them under water.
• In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except the mozzarella. Mix well.
• Prepare a hot fire in your grill, or heat a cast iron grill pan over medium-high heat.
• Drain the radicchio and place them on paper towels to absorb remaining water. Open up the leaves and spoon the olive oil mixture inside. Place the radicchio quarters on a baking sheet and pour the remaining marinade mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Grill the radicchio until browned on the outside but still raw in the center, 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally. Be careful, as the oil mixture may flame up.
• When the radicchio begins to brown, pull from the grill, open up a section of each portion and place a slice of mozzarella inside. Place quarters back onto the sheet pan and place the pan directly on the grill for 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Drizzle any leftover dressing over the top of the grilled radicchio and serve warm.
• If making radicchio in advance: Before the party, have the radicchio drained and marinated in the vinaigrette in the refrigerator.

RADICCHIO RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring 3 1/2 cups broth to simmer in medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low; keep broth warm. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high. Add shallots; sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Add radicchio; sauté until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add rice; stir 1 minute. Add wine; stir until liquid is absorbed, about 4 minutes. Mix in 1 cup broth. Reduce heat to medium; cook until liquid is absorbed, stirring often. Continue cooking until rice is tender but still slightly firm in center and mixture is creamy, adding broth 1/2 cup at a time and stirring often, about 25 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add cheese and butter to risotto; stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into bowls and serve.

ROASTED RADICCHIO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put radicchio wedges on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat, and turn each wedge so a cut side faces sheet. Roast, turning once, until leaves are wilted and slightly charred, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a platter.
• Just before serving, drizzle vinegar over each wedge, and garnish with cheese shavings.

RISOTTO WITH RADICCHIO

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan or skillet, soften the onion in the butter. Add the rice and cook over fairly high heat, stirring constantly, until the grains turn opaque.
• Add the raddichio leaves, saute for one minute, then pour in the wine. Stir the rice well to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. When the liquid has evaporated, add a ladleful of hot broth. Repeat this procedure until the rice is almost tender but firm. If you run out of stock, add warm water instead.
• Turn off the heat, add cream and season the risotto with salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese to taste. Serve immediately, with more cheese to pass separately at the table.

RADICCHIO OR RED ENDIVE 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 in a large, wide saucepan. Add the onion and a generous pinch of salt, and cook gently until it is just tender, about three minutes. Do not brown.
• Add the rice and the garlic, and stir until the grains separate and begin to crackle. Add the wine, and stir until it has been absorbed. 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, stirring in more stock when the rice is almost dry. You do not have to stir constantly, but stir often. After 10 minutes, stir in the radicchio or endive, and continue to cook in the same fashion until the rice is tender all the way through but still chewy, about 15 minutes. Taste now and adjust seasoning, adding salt and pepper to taste. Add another ladleful of stock to the rice, along with the Parmesan and the parsley, and remove from the heat. The mixture should be creamy (add more stock if it isn't). Stir for about half a minute, then serve in wide soup bowls or on plates, spreading the risotto in a thin layer rather than a mound.

ZUCCHINI RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring vegetable or chicken stock to a boil in a medium stock pot, then reduce heat to a low simmer.
• Melt butter in a large, heavy bottomed stock pot over medium heat. Stir in onions and cook for 2 minutes, or until softened. Add the rice and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted. Gradually ladle in simmering vegetable stock, stirring continuously. Risotto will become "creamy" and slightly sticky, yet still firm in the center, or al dente.
• When almost finished, stir in the zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, and thyme, adding stock as needed and stirring continuously. Stir in basil and 3 tablespoons cheese just before serving. Divide risotto among 6 bowls, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and season with pepper to taste.