Risotto With Zucchini Blossoms And Saffron Recipes

LOBSTER RISOTTO WITH SAFFRON, CHERRY TOMATOES AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• For the court-bouillon: Prepare a large pot of boiling water (about 8 quarts). To the water, add the lemon halves, garlic, thyme, coriander seeds, bay leaves, salt and wine. Bring the pot back to a boil, then add the lobster and cook until bright red, 10 minutes. Remove the lobster from the water and set aside to cool.
• When cool enough to handle, remove the tail, claw and knuckle meat and reserve the shells and bodies. Keep 2 pieces of claw meat whole and reserve. Slice 1 tail lengthwise into 4 pieces and reserve. Dice the remaining tail into large chunks along with the remaining claw meat and knuckle meat. Set aside.
• For the risotto: Warm the chicken stock in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the reserved lobster shells and bodies to the stock.
• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, season with kosher salt and a pinch of crushed red pepper and saute until the onions are translucent, 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the olive oil and onion. Toast the rice, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine, tomatoes and a pinch of salt and stir frequently until the liquid has completely absorbed.
• Begin to add the hot stock, two ladlefuls at a time. Stir frequently until the stock has absorbed into the rice. Add the saffron. Repeat adding the stock two more times until the rice is tender but still has some bite to it. There may be leftover stock. Add the zucchini, diced lobster meat, butter, parmesan cheese and parsley. Stir vigorously to combine. Season with kosher salt to taste.
• To plate, scoop generous portions of risotto into 4 bowls. Halve the reserved pieces of claw meat crosswise to make 4 pieces. Garnish each portion with a piece of lobster claw and tail.

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.

SPRING RISOTTO WITH PEAS AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Heat broth and 2 1/2 cups water in a small saucepan over low heat; keep warm. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add zucchini; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until zucchini is golden, 8 to 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer zucchini to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium-low. Add onion; cook until soft, 5 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Raise heat to medium. Add rice; cook, stirring, until translucent around edges, about 3 minutes. Add wine; cook until absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Cook, adding 1 cup hot broth at a time (stir until almost all liquid is absorbed before adding more), until rice is tender, 25 to 30 minutes total.
• Add zucchini and peas; cook until peas are bright green, 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining tablespoon butter and Parmesan. Serve, topped with more cheese.