It’s been a while everyone! Hope that you are all doing well.

Risotto. I had never heard of it until watching Hell’s Kitchen, my guilty reality-show pleasure. Gordon Ramsey is obsessed with the stuff, and now everyone else is too. So here is a recipe that, although it is unconventional, works really well to produce a light side dish that pleases all.

METHOD

1. Bring the 7 cups of chicken broth just to the boil. Turn heat to low, cover, and hold until needed.
2. In a large heavy pot, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add corn and 2 tsp. of the rosemary. Stir and heat for 3 to 4 minutes, ensuring that the butter coats everything.
3. Add the rice and stir well for 2 to 3 minutes to blend the ingredients and coat the rice with the butter.
4. Add the wine and simmer for about 1 minute, until the wine has evaporated.
5. Add the 7 cups of hot stock all at once and stir well for 30 seconds. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and let simmer uncovered, until rice is just tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 to 18 minutes. Risotto should be creamy and a bit soupy. Add more broth, ¼ cup at a time, if risotto doesn’t seem creamy enough.Take care not to overcook — the rice should be tender but not mushy.
6. Stir in baby spinach leaves, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Transfer risotto to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the Asiago and remaining rosemary.

This makes quite a bit, enough to feed 8 as a main dish, so I really recommend making this when you know you will have a crowd. You may even want to consider adjusting the recipe to go with the cheese you will be serving elsewhere in the meal.

Happy Grilling!