Three Grain Risotto Recipes

EMERIL'S THREE CHEESE RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and season with salt and pepper. Saute for 3 minutes, or until the onions are slightly soft. Add the stock and garlic. Bring the liquid to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 6 minutes. Add the rice and simmer for 18 minutes, stirring constantly, or until the mixture is creamy and bubbly. Add the butter, cream, cheese and chives. Reseason with salt and pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes and serve immediately.

THREE-GRAIN RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring the stock to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat as low as possible to keep the stock warm until you are ready to use it.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed, nonreactive skillet at least 10 inches wide, toast the barley over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Transfer the toasted barley to a small bowl and set aside.
• In the same skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the leek and garlic and sauté for 1 minute until the leek starts to soften.
• Add the barley and Arborio rice and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, to coat the rice. Add the white wine and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the wine is almost absorbed. Ladle 1 1/2 to 2 cups of the hot stock over the rice. Stir frequently until all of the liquid is absorbed and a stirring spoon leaves a trail showing where it ran across the bottom of the pot. Ladle in an additional 1 1/2 cups of liquid and stir until the liquid is absorbed.
• Add the orzo and continue adding stock until the grains are al dente, about 30 minutes total. If you prefer a softer risotto, add more stock until it has the desired consistency. (You might not use all the stock.)
• Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the Parmesan until it is melted and completely incorporated. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately, topping each portion with a dollop of fresh goat cheese.

CREAMY RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion until tender, about 5 minutes. Add rice; cook, stirring until well coated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring until absorbed, about 1 minute. Season with salt. Gently heat broth; keep warm.
• Add about 1 cup of warm broth. Cook, stirring frequently, until absorbed. Continue adding broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 25 minutes total. The rice should be tender (but not mushy) and suspended in liquid with the consistency of heavy cream.
• Remove pan from heat. Stir in Parmesan and butter; season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately (risotto will continue to thicken as it sits). Garnish with thyme leaves, if desired.

THREE-CHEESE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Melt the butter and olive oil together in a large, shallow saucepan, add the onion and garlic, and cook for 5-10 mins until soft. Add the risotto rice and cook for 2-3 mins, getting a good covering in the fats and giving the rice a slightly toasted flavour.
• Add the white wine and cook until it has reduced away. Add the warm chicken stock, a ladleful at a time, and stir into the rice - when it has been absorbed, add more. You may not need to add all the stock, but keep adding until the rice is cooked al dente. It will take around 15 mins to get the risotto to the right consistency.
• Take the rice pan off the heat and stir in the cheeses, season and leave to rest for 3-4 mins. Serve with the roasted poussins, morel sauce and some wilted Baby Gem lettuce leaves.

VERY EASY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook green onions in butter briefly, then add the rice. Cook and stir for a few minutes to toast rice. Stir in water, and season with chicken bouillon and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.

PAN-FRIED RISOTTO CAKES

Steps:

• Put butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a wide heavy-bottom saucepan or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until softened and lightly colored, about 5 minutes. Add squash and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until squash is cooked but not soft, about 5 minutes. Add rice and sage and stir to combine, then add wine and cook for 1 minute more.
• Add 2 cups vegetable broth and bring to a brisk simmer. Cook until liquid is nearly evaporated, about 5 minutes. Continue adding broth 1 cup at a time and cook in the same fashion until rice is just done and all liquid is absorbed (it should take 4 to 5 cups broth), about 10 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in Parmesan, Fontina and lemon zest and juice. Taste and adjust seasoning (rice should be well seasoned). Stir in chives, then spread mixture on a baking sheet or platter to cool. Cool for at least 2 hours (or refrigerate overnight, covered).
• With a spoon, divide mixture into 12 pieces. Shape each piece into an oval patty. Roll patties lightly in flour to coat. Pour olive oil to a depth of 1/2 inch into a cast-iron skillet and place over medium heat. Dip floured rice patties briefly into beaten egg, then fry gently on both sides until browned. Drain on paper towels. Serve hot, sprinkled with more Parmesan and chives if desired.