Basic Microwave Risotto Recipes

Steps:

• Stir together the dried porcini and 1 cup of the chicken broth in a microwave-safe 2-cup or larger measuring cup. Microwave, uncovered, on high (at 100 percent power) until the broth is hot but not boiling, 1 1/2 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 2 1/2 minutes in a 700-watt oven. Let sit for 5 minutes. Remove the porcini pieces from the liquid with a slotted spoon, squeezing out excess moisture in the process. Chop the porcini coarsely. Reserve the chopped porcini and the porcini broth separately.
• Place the shallots, garlic, cremini and shiitake mushrooms, 2 tablespoons of the butter and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish. Cover tightly with 2 pieces of plastic wrap; make a small slit in the center with the tip of a paring knife to vent excess steam. Microwave on high (at 100 percent power) until all the vegetables have softened, 5 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 9 minutes in a 700-watt oven. (When removing the plastic, be careful to avoid the hot steam.) If some of the vegetables still seem a little raw, stir and microwave again, covered, in 30-second increments.
• Add the rice to the baking dish, and stir to coat the grains. Add the white wine, 1 1/2 cups of the remaining chicken broth, reserved porcini broth (leaving the sediment at the bottom of the cup) and chopped porcini, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and microwave on high (at 100 percent power) for 8 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 10 minutes in a 700-watt oven. Stir the risotto, and add the remaining 1 cup chicken broth. Cover and microwave on high (at 100 percent power) until the rice is cooked but with the faintest bite in the center, 9 minutes in an 1,100-watt oven or 15 minutes in a 700-watt oven. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, Parmesan and parsley, and stir vigorously until creamy. At this stage, the risotto should be thick but pourable from a spoon; if it's too stiff, splash in more broth. Let sit, covered, for 2 minutes to rest and come together. Serve with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan on top.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the rice and 4 cups of the chicken stock in a Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Cover and bake for 45 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente. Remove from the oven, add the remaining cup of chicken stock, the Parmesan, wine, butter, salt, and pepper, and stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and creamy. Add the peas and stir until heated through. Serve hot.

Steps:

• Measure the rice into a large microwaveable bowl, then pour in the wine and a third of the stock. Cover with cling film, then microwave on High for 10 mins. Stir the rice, then add another third of the stock, re-cover and microwave again for 3 mins.
• Stir the rice again, then add the frozen veg, asparagus and the rest of the stock. Re-cover and microwave for 7 mins. Stir in the cheese and mint, then leave the risotto to stand for 2 mins before serving.

Steps:

• In a microwave safe bowl, combine the chopped onion and shortening. Microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring once after 2 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with the oil. Microwave on high for 4 more minutes.
• Add the chicken broth and return bowl to microwave. Cook the rice on high for 18 minutes, stirring once half way through. Stir again before the last 2 minutes and check to see that the liquid is almost all absorbed.
• Take the bowl from the microwave and let the rice absorb the last of the liquid, stirring 2 or 3 times.
• Add the cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Before serving, you may add whatever mined herbs you like, swirl in a pat or butter, or some milk or cream if you like a creamier risotto.

Steps:

• In a 3 quart, microwave safe casserole dish combine butter, garlic and onion. Place dish in microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes.
• Place vegetable broth in a second microwave safe dish. Heat on microwave until the broth is hot but not boiling (approximately 2 minutes).
• Stir the rice and broth into the casserole dish with the onion, butter and garlic mixture. Cover the dish tightly and cook on high for 6 minutes.
• Stir wine into the rice. Cook on high for 10 minutes more. Most of the liquid should boil off. Stir the cheese into the rice and serve.

Steps:

• Tip the rice, onion and half the butter into a large microwave-proof bowl. Cover and cook in the microwave on High for 3 mins. Stir in the stock and passata, then continue to cook, uncovered, for 10 mins. Give it a good stir and mix in the tomatoes and mozzarella. Microwave on High for a further 8 mins until the rice is cooked and the tomatoes have softened.
• Leave the risotto to relax for a few mins, then stir in the remaining butter, parmesan and basil. Season to taste and serve straight from the bowl.

Steps:

• Tip the onion and fennel into a bowl, toss in the oil and microwave on High for 5 mins. Stir in the rice, pour over the stock, cover the bowl with a plate and continue to microwave on High for 10-15 mins more or until the rice is just on the verge of being cooked.
• Throw in the seafood and peas, cover and continue to microwave on High for 2-3 mins until the rice is cooked. Stir in the parmesan and lemon juice and leave to stand for a moment while you mix the parsley with the lemon zest. Spoon the risotto into bowls and scatter over parsley and lemon zest.

Steps:

• heat butter and oil in pie dish, uncovered for 2 minutes on hi.
• add onion, stir, cook for 4 minutes on hi.
• stir in rice to coat, cook 4 minutes on hi.
• mix saffron into broth, add to rice, cook on hi for 9 minutes.
• stir and cook on hi for 9 minutes more.
• let sit for a few mins, add salt, pepper and cheese.

Steps:

• Tip the rice into a large bowl, then add 500ml of the hot vegetable stock. Cover with cling film and microwave on High for 5 mins. Meanwhile, peel and cut the squash into medium chunks (see tip, below). Stir the rice, then add the squash and the rest of the stock. Re-cover with cling film, then microwave for another 15 mins, stirring halfway, until almost all the stock is absorbed and the rice and squash are tender.
• Leave the risotto to sit for 2 mins, then stir in the parmesan and sage. Serve topped with more grated cheese.