Risotto with Veggies

(serves 4)

It seems that more and more, risotto recipes are being baked in a Dutch oven instead of the tedious stove top version which requires lots of stirring and attention.

I had some ingredients which were used for Christmas Day lunch leftover. Risotto is a perfect vehicle (or pasta!) for lonely ingredients needing a home.

Below is a basic risotto recipe (baked, not stirred) which can be used with a variety of ingredients…let your imagination and your pantry go wild.

1/4 C olive oil
1/2 a yellow (or white) onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1 C Arborio Rice
1 T butter
1/4 C dry white wine
3 C chicken or vegetable stock

1/2 C grated Parmesan reggiano, plus more for topping

I had leftover cremini mushrooms and butternut squash. Just wipe mushroom caps with a damp rag.

Quartered mushroom caps and bite-sized squash were roasted with salt, pepper, thyme and olive oil.

Roast veggies until just tender.

I love peeled garlic for easy use. It can get slimy if not used fairly quickly. Add a paper towel to the container. It helps.

Fresh thyme, garlic, onions….yum.

Add butter. Add Arborio rice and fully coat before adding stock.

Also had some kale.

OK, not a Dutch oven, but it worked.

In a preheated Dutch oven (on the stove top), add oil.
Once shimmering, add onion.
Once onion is translucent, add garlic, thyme and bay leaves.
Once that is fragrant, add Arborio Rice and butter.
Stir until rice is coated and butter is melted.
Add additional oil if it appears too dry.
Add wine, scraping up bits on the bottom of the pan. Cook until wine almost evaporates.
Add chicken stock and your other prepared ingredients.
Place Dutch oven (covered) into a preheated 375 degree oven for 25 minutes.
Carefully remove Dutch oven and stir ingredients. Check the rice for “al dente” like texture. Return the covered dish to the oven and cook for an additional 20 or so minutes. You are looking for a slight thickening of the broth and “al dente” rice – fully cooked but a bit “toothy”. Not gummy. Allow risotto to sit for 10-15 minutes covered on the counter. Add cheese at this point and any other additional topping you want.