COOKING RISOTTO AT HOME
The past few months I’ve really enjoyed being able to cook more at home. I’d chalk that up to having a much better kitchen to cook in, but it’s also a function of trying to eat healthier and save money. I’ve been cooking for most of my life, but these days it seems to be more frequently.
A few weeks ago I tried making my first risotto, and I was really happy with the results. Since then I’ve made it a few times and I’m surprised by how creamy and filling it is without any heavy cream or butter.
So the main ingredients I used to cook this were the good quality Arborio rice, a good white wine (I don’t drink wine so I had to rely on the wine store guy on this one), homemade chicken stock, shallots, Parmesan, asparagus, and a variety of wild mushrooms.
A lot of people say cooking risotto is too complicated for cooking at home. I beg to differ! It is actually super easy… but it takes quite a long time to make and it is quite labour intensive (stirring a pot for 45 minutes can get tiring!) but it’s totally worth it. And leftovers for lunch re-heat really nice.
I also quickly browned up some homemade pecan and panko-encrusted chicken breast strips to add some meat to the dish, but it’s definitely not necessary to enjoy.
So give it a try if you haven’t already! If anyone would like the recipe for this or anything else I’ve posted in the Food category to the right, please let me know.
So I know I said I was going to have a moving timelapse video up on the weekend but I got stuck finishing off Resident Evil 5 on the Xbox 360. I can’t help it — I’m a sucker for good video games 
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P.S. Looking forward to the Canucks game tonight anyone?
Tags: Arborio, asparagus, cooking, Masi, mushrooms, Parmesan, recipe, rice, Risotto, white wine
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March 31st, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Yum that looks good! Can i order Take Out, or is it dine in experience only?
I miss playing Resident Evil.. Dont get to on a PC and dont want to spend money on a console. Guess i’m SoL!
March 31st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Pass along that recipe please
I just bought some arborio rice and fancy mushrooms yesterday.
March 31st, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Love love love risotto….I have not made it myself but my girl is a risotto wizard.
Really? You don’t drink wine? I’m sure you have your reasons…I happen to love tequila as well.
Its so much cheaper in Alberta.
March 31st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Isn’t risotto fab? I love cooking it at home, and actually rarely order it out anymore because they charge like $25 for something I could make for less than $10!
My fav was a wild-mushroom risotto I found in a Jamie Oliver cookbook, but pretty much anything could become a risotto.
I’ve been craving an apple, walnut and blue-cheese one for a while (but haven’t made it as the boyf detests blue cheese) and the most unusual one I’ve made was a roasted cauliflower, almond and brie risotto. Great but not in the usual rotation!
March 31st, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Love how risotto is so easy to make and such a comfort food. I also never order it at restaurants as it’s never as good as home made. A fave of mine is fresh crab meat (bought from Finest at Sea on Arbutus), with lemon zest, basil, mint, shallot and peas. it is very simple but so tasty!
April 1st, 2009 at 4:12 am
Mmm I haven’t had risotto in a long time. Reminds me of living at home years ago because my Mom would make it now and then, she also loves to cook. Perhaps I’ll give it a shot!
April 1st, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Allie, it must be said that your cooking looks absolutely extraordinary! Kudos on cooking at home!
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 am
Looks tasty. I have to agree with you about cooking at home, it’s super easy and can often taste better than what you might receive at a restaurant (at a fraction of the price).
I’m going to give this recipe a try. Thanks Allie.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Oh my gosh, this looks sooo good! I made risotto the other night, actually, but, um, all I did was boil it and add a packet of powder (which included mushrooms!) I’ll have to try this one next time!
April 7th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
LOVE your Team Jacob pics! Thanks for that =) Checking out the rest of your site, I’d really like to try your risotto recipe if you don’t mind passing it on.