Crispy Cheese Curd Risotto Cake
- 10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) salted butter
- 1/2 cup finely diced sweet onion
- 1 cup carnaroli or Arborio rice
- 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 to 1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 pound white cheese curds
- About 1 cup rice flour
- Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large, high-sided skillet, and add the onion.
- Cook over medium heat until soft and sweet, about 10 minutes.
- Add the rice and salt and cook, stirring, until well coated in butter, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the white wine and cook, stirring, until it evaporates.
- Add 1/2 cup water and cook, stirring frequently, until it has been absorbed.
- Repeat, adding 1/2 cup water at a time, until the rice swells and becomes tender.
- This should take about 15 minutes and about 3 to 3 1/2 cups water.
- The texture of the risotto should be softly flowing but not soupy.
- Stir in the Parmesan, and transfer the risotto to a wide bowl.
- When it is cool enough to touch, fold in the cheese curds.
- Line an 8-inch-square baking dish with plastic wrap, leaving plenty of overhang on all sides.
- Pour the risotto into the dish, smooth the top, and cover with the overhanging plastic.
- Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours, or as long as overnight.
- Before serving, clarify the remaining 8 tablespoons butter: Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium heat until it foams and starts to turn dark blond on top, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let the butter sit for a few minutes.
- Then tilt the skillet toward you and gently spoon off and discard the top layer of foam.
- Pour the clear golden butter into another bowl, discarding the dark dregs at the bottom of the skillet.
- Unmold the risotto cake onto a cutting board.
- Cut it into eight 1-inch-wide slabs, and then cut each rectangle into thirds to make 24 pieces.
- Put the rice flour in a shallow dish.
- Dip the tops and bottoms of the risotto cakes in the flour, and transfer them to a platter or baking sheet.
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
- Heat a large nonstick saute pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add enough clarified butter to lightly coat the bottom, and when it's hot, add as many risotto cakes as will fit in the pan.
- Fry until a dark golden brown crust forms on both sides and the cheese inside is melted, about 4 minutes.
- Keep the fried risotto cakes warm in the oven while you fry the rest of them.
- Serve immediately.
butter, sweet onion, carnaroli, salt, white wine, white cheese, rice flour
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/amy-thielen/crispy-cheese-curd-risotto-cake.html (may not work)