Supplies

Risotto

  • 1c Carnaroli Rice, Acquerello Rice or Arborio Rice (I prefer the Carnaroli or Acquerello)
  • 6 c. Chicken stock
  • 1 yellow onion brunoise
  • 1/4 c dry white wine
  • 2 T butter
  • 3 T Cold butter dice
  • 2 T Mascarpone
  • 1/2 c. Parmesan microplaned

Pesto

  • 1/2 c pine nuts
  • 1 c. parmesan microplaned
  • 2 garlic cloves finely grated
  • 3 bunches basil leaf (about 5 cups)
  • 1/2 c. olive oil
  • 1 t. kosher salt

Passo a passo

Risotto

  1. Heat a large heavy bottomed pan and melt 2 T. butter. Also heat chicken stock in pot next to the pan.
  2. Saute onion making sure not to brown. Once they are translucent, add rice.
  3. Toast the rice, making sure they become well-coated with butter and onions and heated through, again with no color.
  4. Add white wine and let it reduce and evaporate, continuing to stir till all the wine has disappeared.
  5. Now start by adding 1 ladle at a time of the stock, stirring until the stock is almost absorbed by the rice (the idea is to keep the consistency runny at all times). Then add the next ladle.
  6. Start testing the rice about 15 min in. Once the rice is almost finished (al dente) remove from heat.
  7. Make pesto.
  8. Return to risotto and add your cold butter, mascarpone and parmesan. Fold in ingredients, then serve in shallow bowl.
  9. Place a dollop of pesto in center of risotto and serve.

Pesto

  1. Place all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth.