Shell Bean Risotto
- 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 2 teaspoons thyme leaves
- 1 chile de arbol, crumbled
- 1 1/2 cups high-quality Arborio rice (see Sources)
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1 cup cooked mixed shell beans (see page 193)
- 2 ounces young spinach, sliced
- 2 tablespoons sliced flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons sliced opal basil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Bring the chicken stock and 3 1/2 cups water to a boil over high heat.
- Then turn off the heat.
- Heat a medium pot over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
- Swirl in 3 tablespoons butter, and when it foams, add the onion, thyme, chile, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few grindings of black pepper.
- Saute about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the rice, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and a pinch of pepper.
- Cook 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the rice just begins to toast and the grains of rice have a white dot at their center.
- Pour in the white wine, and once it has evaporated, quickly add 1 cup of the hot stock, stirring continuously.
- When the stock is completely absorbed, begin adding the liquid in 1-cup batches, stirring all the time with a wooden spoon in a rhythmic back-and-forth motion.
- Wait for each batch of liquid to be absorbed before adding the next.
- The rice should be bubbling and quickly absorbing the stock.
- After about 15 minutes, taste the rice for doneness.
- It should be slightly but not too al dente.
- The risotto may need more liquid and more time, so keep cooking until its done.
- It should be neither soupy nor dry; each grain of rice should be coated in a flavorful, starchy sauce.
- When the rice is almost done, turn off the heat and stir in the shell beans.
- Let the risotto rest for a minute or two and then quickly stir in the remaining tablespoon butter, the spinach, parsley, and basil.
- Taste for seasoning.
- The rice will keep absorbing liquid so add a little more stock if it seems dry.
chicken stock, unsalted butter, white onion, thyme, arbol, rice, white wine, beans, young spinach, parsley, opal basil, kosher salt
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/shell-bean-risotto-390948 (may not work)