Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, and Basil
from Cooking Light, September 2007, page 198
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4-1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped leek
1-1/2 cups Arborio rice or other medium-grain rice
1/3 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
5 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, finely diced
1. Place vinegar in a small, heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook until slightly syrupy and reduced to 1 tablespoon (about 4 minutes). Set aside
2. Bring broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan (do not boil). Keep warm.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add leek to pan; saute 3 minutes or until tender. Add rice; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, and cook 1 minute or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 cup broth; cook 5 minutes or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth is absorbed before adding the next (about 25 minutes total). Stir in half-and-half, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in tomatoes, basil, and cheese. Place about 1 cup risotto into each of 6 shallow bowls; drizzle each serving with 1/2 teaspoon balsamic syrup and 1/2 teaspoon oil.
Yield: 6 servings
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4-1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 cups chopped leek
1-1/2 cups Arborio rice or other medium-grain rice
1/3 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
5 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, finely diced
1. Place vinegar in a small, heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook until slightly syrupy and reduced to 1 tablespoon (about 4 minutes). Set aside
2. Bring broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan (do not boil). Keep warm.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add leek to pan; saute 3 minutes or until tender. Add rice; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, and cook 1 minute or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 cup broth; cook 5 minutes or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth is absorbed before adding the next (about 25 minutes total). Stir in half-and-half, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in tomatoes, basil, and cheese. Place about 1 cup risotto into each of 6 shallow bowls; drizzle each serving with 1/2 teaspoon balsamic syrup and 1/2 teaspoon oil.
Yield: 6 servings
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