Spinach Basil Risotto Cake With Star Anise Carrot Syrup Recipes

ZIA ORSOLA'S SPINACH RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a pot, bring salted water to a boil, and add the Arborio rice. Stir constantly for the first minute to prevent the rice from sticking to the pot. In a separate pot, add the spinach along with 1/4 cup of water, and cook for a few minutes. Once the spinach has softened, remove it from the heat, and puree using a food processor. Cook the rice for approximately 12 minutes, or before the rice gets to the al dente stage. Pour most of the water out of the pot, leaving 1/4 of the water behind with the rice. Add the pureed spinach to the rice, and cook a few minutes more on low heat. Add the soft ricotta, grated cheese and butter into the rice, and stir until it is uniform and creamy. Salt to taste. Transfer the rice to a warm plate and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Serve immediately.

CARROT-STAR ANISE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Saute chopped carrots and onion in the hot oil, 10 to 15 minutes. Add water slowly, adjusting so that the vegetables are just covered. Add star anise, chicken bouillon, and coriander and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, about 40 minutes.
• Remove star anise. Puree soup with an immersion blender to desired consistency. Garnish with thyme and marjoram and serve hot.

MILK CHOCOLATE SEMIFREDDO WITH STAR ANISE CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Make the semifreddo
• 1. Put the chocolate in a heatproof glass bowl and melt slowly in the microwave. Alternatively, you can set the bowl over a pan of simmering water (don't let the bowl touch the water) and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and just warm. Set aside.
• 2. Using a handheld electric mixer, whip the cream in a medium bowl until it forms soft peaks; set aside.
• 3. Combine the egg whites and sugar in a heat-proof bowl and place over a pan of simmering water. Whisk continually until the whites are just hot, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a large bowl. Beat the egg white-sugar mixture with a handheld electric mixer until stiff peaks form and the egg whites are shiny and glossy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• 4. Fold the cream into the melted chocolate, then carefully fold the meringue into the chocolate mixture. Pour the chocolate mixture into a 9 x 13-inch pan and put in the freezer until firm, at least 3 hours or overnight until frozen.
• Make the cake
• 1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Combine the eggs, oil, sugar, salt, flour, star anise, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Mix until just incorporated; add the carrots.
• 2. Line an 8 X 4-inch (or 4-cup) loaf pan with parchment or use a nonstick baking pan. Pour the cake batter into the pan and bake for 45 minutes, or until the center springs back when lightly touched.
• 3. When cool enough to handle, unmold onto a baking rack (run a small knife around the edges if necessary to release the cake from the pan) and let cool. Cut into 2-inch slices then cut each slice in half and set aside.
• Make the soup
• In a small saucepan, heat the carrot juice over medium heat, then add the cornstarch, and whisk until the carrot juice mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Chill for 1 hour or until cold. Season with sugar and salt to taste.
• To serve
• Ladle a small amount of carrot soup in a shallow bowl. Place 5 to 8 carrot cake pieces on top of the carrot soup. Place 3 to 4 small scoops of the chocolate semifreddo on top the carrot cake. Garnish with carrot greens, if desired.

SPINACH BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Blend the spinach, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a food processor until nearly smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula as necessary. Drizzle the remaining olive oil into the mixture while processing until smooth.

SPINACH CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven at 175 C.
• Grease short sides cake form with butter, use baking paper to cover the long sides.
• Use mixer to mix eggs with butter.
• Add self-rising flour and mix.
• Add cheese, season with salt and pepper to your likening.
• Divide dough in two parts.
• Grate carrot and mix with one part.
• Push water out of spinach and mix with other part.
• Put carrot dough in baking stuff and then spinach dough.
• Bake for 1 hour and leave to rest for 10 minutes.
• Lift out of caking form and cut into pieces.

SHRIMP RISOTTO WITH BABY SPINACH AND BASIL

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups broth to simmer in medium saucepan. Add shrimp. Turn off heat, cover, and let stand until shrimp are just opaque in center, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to small bowl; cover with foil to keep warm. Cover broth to keep warm.
• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and stir 1 minute. Add rice and stir until edge of rice is translucent but center is still opaque, about 2 minutes. Add wine and cook until wine is absorbed, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes. Add 3/4 cup chicken broth. Simmer until almost all broth is absorbed, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Continue to add broth, 3/4 cup at a time, until rice is just tender and mixture is creamy, stirring often and allowing almost all broth to be absorbed after each addition, about 25 minutes total. During last 5 minutes, add spinach in 4 batches, stirring and allowing spinach to wilt after each addition. Mix in shrimp, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and basil. Season risotto to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon risotto into shallow bowls and serve, passing additional cheese separately.

RISOTTO WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Blanch the spinach and then chop it finely. In a pan, pour in some extra virgin olive oil and cook the crushed garlic clove, until brown. Remove the garlic and add the onion, finely chopped. Cook the onion until it becomes transparent. You can then add the spinach, stir, and season to taste. Set aside.
• In a casserole, toast the rice with 20 gr of extra virgin olive oil. When the rice is hot throughout, add the boiling stock all at once and mix gently. Cover the casserole with the lid and allow to cook for 15 minutes on a low flame.
• When the rice is cooked (depends on type of rice used) add the spinach, remove from the fire and add the grated parmesan cheese and butter. Mix thoroughly but gently until the cheese and butter melt and create a creamy risotto.
• Allow to rest for 2 minutes in casserole with lid on and covered with a cloth.
• Serve with grated parmesan and lemon slices.