Risotto Mix Recipes

Steps:

• For the mix: Layer ingredients in order listed, packing lightly before adding each layer.
• Seal jar, cover top with fabric and attach a gift tag with directions for preparing the risotto.
• In a medium saucepan, heat broth and keep at a simmer.
• Heat oil and butter in a large skillet; add the shallot and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes or until tender, stir in risotto mix.
• Cook and stir 1 to 2 minutes or until rice glistens.
• Pour about 1/2 cup broth into skillet, cook and stir at medium-low heat until rice absorbs broth, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add 1/2 cup of broth and repeat; continue until all liquid has been incorporated, rice should be tender but slightly firm at the center.
• When the rice is cooked through, stir in cheese and serve immediately.

Steps:

• PREPARING THE RICE.
• Peel and finely chop the onion.
• Melt the butter in a 4-to-5-quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring regularly.
• Add the onion and cook, continuing to stir, until it turns soft and translucent.
• Turn the heat down if the onion starts to brown.
• Meanwhile, pour the chicken broth into a separate saucepan, set over medium heat, and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Adjust the heat as needed to maintain this simmer the whole time you are preparing the risotto.
• Once the onion is soft, add the rice and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes.
• Adjust the heat as necessary-- if the rice is cooked at too high a heat, it will turn brown and take on an undesirable flavor.
• ADDING THE LIQUID TO THE RICE.
• Using a ladle, scoop up about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of broth.
• Pour it in the pan with the rice, stirring constantly with a spoon.
• After the first addition of broth, the rice mixture will look a bit soupy.
• As the rice begins to cook, stir it constantly, making sure that you scrape along the bottom of the pan so that it does not stick.
• You should see little bubbles popping up on the liquid from time to time.
• If it bubbles more vigorously than this, turn the heat down to medium-low.
• When most of the liquid is absorbed into the rice and the rice begins to look a bit dry, add another ladle of broth to the pan and stir constantly, as before.
• DETERMINING WHEN THE RISOTTO IS COOKED.
• Continue to add the broth in 1/2-to-3/4-cup batches and stir the rice until you have used most of the broth (this will probably take about 20 minutes).
• It is now time to test whether the risotto is cooked.
• Spoon up a grain of rice and bite into it-- it should be tender without being too mushy.
• If it is still crunchy and tastes a bit starchy, you will need to continue adding liquid and cooking further.
• If it looks as if you will run out of chicken broth and your rice is still not cooked, don't be alarmed.
• Because of variations in individual stoves and cooking temperatures, you may need more liquid than called for in the recipe.
• Simply heat up another cup or 2 of chicken broth.
• If you run out of broth, use hot water.
• When the rice is tender and the risotto has a creamy consistency, almost like thick oatmeal, it is done.
• SERVING THE RISOTTO.
• Add salt and pepper to the risotto, about 1/4 teaspoon at a time, until it seems well seasoned to you.
• Stir.
• Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir well.
• Serve the risotto immediately in warm bowls and have extra grated Parmesan on hand.

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:

• 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.