This may look like a badly photoographed, and inherently unphotogenetic bowl of risotto. And whilst it is that, it's also a lot more. For one, it crosses off one of the items on my Things to Do In Melbourne list I've got stuck up on the fridge; namely "Learn how to make risotto".
Believe it ir not, I've never made risotto before. Whilst I've eaten plenty, they were always made by the now-ex-boyfriend (who from henceforth shall be known as Neb on this blog). Risotto was always one of his special dishes to make, and to be fair he was pretty damn good at it. So learning how to make it myself was something I never had to think about.
Most restaurant risottos are awful - they are either lukewarm, too watery, don't have enough tasty filling bits, or have at least one ingredient that I don't like in them (hello Pumpkin!!!). Unless I have reason to believe a restaurant's risotto is going to be amazing, it's not something I would risk ordering off the menu. Too much of a gamble!
Given that it's now over 6 months since Neb and I have been together, that means that's its been over 6 months since I've eaten risotto. In summertime I didn't even notice the lack of risotto from my diet, but now that we are well and truly in the midst of a freezing cold winter, there are some nights when a warm bowl full of creamy rice and veggies would just hit the spot perfectly.
So I finally decided that the lack of risotto in my diet had gone on far too seriously long enough by half. The only thing for it was to give it a go and just see what happens. I spent some time googling around, and finally came up with a few candidate first-timer risotto recipes from taste.com.au, finally settling on this recipe for Spinach and Sweet Potato Risotto.
The verdict? Yum. I might try a few other recipes before considering making this exact one again, but now that I've gotten over my initial risotto fear, there's no stopping me! Just one more thing I don't need a man in my life for, right?
10 comments:
Oh yum!! Risotto is one of my favourite things to make. So glad you gave it a go because I am the same as you, I have NEVER had a good risotto at any restaurant no matter how up-market they were. Next time you visit, let's have a risotto/wine night :-)
Yuuuum sounds like a plan!!! I was always curious about that Razors Edge risotto place in Enmore, but never made it there. Not sure if it even exists still! Wine and risotto is a match made in heaven :)
YUMMY! Even though it is summer here it's cold and foggy so this dish sounds delicious. Good for you for learning to make it!
Although the way they have it done in the recipe is a bit easier, traditionally the wine and stock are not mixed and you have to add the stock bits at a time. After you've cooked the onions and coated the rice with the butter (or oil) you pour in the wine alone and let the rice absorb it/let it burn off. Then you start with the somewhat tedious process of slowly adding stock a bit at a time as the rice absorbs it. Doesn't that sound fun? ;) Now that I think about it, I'm going to try it the way the recipe says next time!!New
Rosie, yes it did seem simpler than adding it bit by bit. But being a beginner, simple works for me! Do you have any fave risotto recipes to share?
Sounds yummy! I love risotto.
There's a big chance I'll visit Melbourne in December. I'm so excited. Maybe I get to meet you.
Absolutely LOP!! Now that would be exciting!!!
ooh Well Done Tam!! I think the photo does it justice - well, I certainly think it looks good and its making me want to eat it LOL Congrats on crossing something off your list.
I was going to share my favourite risotto recipe with you (I created it myself), but its Roast Pumpkin so I don't think you'll like it!!
Hey Theresa! Thought I'd try a few different risottos before crossing it off my list for sure, but it's a good start! Please do share your recipe - I can always replace pumpkin with sweet potato. Yum!!
That sounds absolutely delicious - I'll have to steal that recipe sometime!
Please do Kari! Let me know if you make it and/or like it too!!
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