
Recipe
of the Week
Beet Risotto
- "Beets are the vegetable that brings people together. Everyone has an opinion on them, whether they love them or hate them." - Unknown

Okay, so here's the deal: I'm a beet
hater. I'm talking full-on, deep-rooted beet animosity.
I've been served beets by some seriously wonderful
chefs, and I've hated every single bite. So imagine my
reaction when I showed up to my friend's house for
dinner and found out that she was serving beet risotto
as the main course.
I resigned myself to a night of pretending to enjoy the
culinary equivalent of a root canal, but then something
miraculous happened. The dish that was placed in front
of me was a work of art. I'm talking a masterpiece of
fuchsia-colored rice that was almost too pretty to eat.
Almost.
I took a hesitant bite, expecting the worst. But the
flavors were a symphony of sweet, savory, and earthy
goodness. And the texture? Oh man, it was like a warm
hug in my mouth. Creamy, velvety, and just downright
comforting.
So there you have it, folks. I, the beet hater
extraordinaire, have been converted. If you need me,
I'll be in the kitchen, whipping up some beet risotto
like a pro.
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
(or water mixed with Knorr veg paste and No-Chicken
powder)
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
plus more to finish
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 beets, peeled and coarsely grated
- 2 bay leaves and a pinch of thyme
- 2 to 3 cloves crushed garlic
- 1&1/2 cups arborio rice
- 3 to 4 ounces grated parmesan or
pecorino cheese, to taste
- Chiffonade of beet greens to garnish
(optional)
Directions
- In a saucepan, bring the stock to a
simmer; cover and keep warm.
- In a large non-stick pan, melt the
butter and the oil. Add the onion and cook over
moderately high heat, stirring, until softened,
about 5 minutes. Add the shredded beets and cook,
stirring, until the pan is dry, about 12 minutes.
Spoon half of the beets into a small bowl.
- Add the rice to the onions and cook,
stirring, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for
1 minute more. Add the wine and stir over moderate
heat, until nearly absorbed. Add 1 cup of the warm
stock to the rice stirring, until the stock is
nearly absorbed. Continue adding the stock 1 cup at
a time, stirring constantly, until the rice is NOT
QUITE al dente, still slightly chewy and “chalky”.
Remove from heat, cool, and refrigerate until
service.
- Add cold rice back to the pan
and continue heating with ladles of hot broth until
al dente and a thick sauce forms.
- Stir in the cooked beets, cheese,
and more butter if desired. Cook, stirring, until
heated through; add a few tablespoons of water if
the risotto is too thick. Spoon the risotto into
bowls. Garnish with thinly sliced beet greens and
serve.
ENJOY!
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