Making the Perfect Risotto (almost)

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It’s 12/12/12! I’ve read that numerologists say this day is auspicious, but I just like that all the numbers are the same. When it comes to numbers, I like making lists and numbering things and wanted to record a post today before the rest of the month flies by. The time between Thanksgiving and New Year's always goes by so quickly. Here's what's been keeping me busy:

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1) Work - I've been swamped. One co-worker just got married and is on her honeymoon. Another is about to have a baby and recently started maternity leave. To help me out, they've assigned a new person to my team, but it's a junior analyst that requires my supervision and in addition to my work, I have to review hers. Luckily she's very capable and eager and smart, so it's not painful, but days have been very long. Once my newlywed co-worker returns, I should get back to a normal schedule.
2) Job hunting - I am very happy to have a job in these tough economic times, even if it's a job that makes me want to poke my eyes out with a stick covered in fire ants. Searching for jobs has become a job in itself, as all of you who've gone through the process are well aware. No bites yet, but I hope that by this time next year I'm in a more rewarding, more challenging position.
3) Holiday visits - I've been spending time catching up with friends that I haven't seen in months and preparing to see family that I only see once a year. I just found out that a friend of mine is moving to the Philippines in January, so amidst all the Christmas parties and get-togethers, I have a going-away party to go to this weekend.
4) Cooking/baking - To continue with the job-hunting theme, my cooking and baking skills are "entry level." Every year around Christmas someone gives me a little gift--simple things like homemade cookies--and I always feel like an ass for not having something to give in return. So I decided this year that I wanted to make fudge and give it out to neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, etc around Christmas. However, I've never made fudge before in my life. It was quite a learning experience. I made three different batches and all turned out very different in terms of consistency and flavor. My husband and friends said it was all edible, and I'm sure they'd never lie to me.

Now We Get to the Risotto Part...

I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, but I did have two goals for 2012: 1) run a 5K, and 2) learn to make risotto. I ran my 5K race back in October at the Zombie Run, and recently I’ve learned to make risotto, although I’m still perfecting my technique.

I really like rice. Although I am not a vegetarian, I frequently order vegetarian dishes at restaurants, and if there’s risotto on the menu, I always order it. Risotto is an Italian rice dish cooked in broth with other ingredients, like seasonal vegetables or mushrooms, and topped with Parmesan cheese. The trick to making it is to constantly stir the rice while adding just the right amount of liquid so that it absorbs properly. The first risotto I made was way too mushy and soupy. I made this version a few weeks ago, with Swiss chard from the local farmers’ market and onions from my garden (and non-seasonal, non-local frozen peas).

Last year was the first year I ever knowingly and purposefully ate Swiss chard, and it was because of the Eat Local Foods challenge. I bought another bunch this year and was trying to think of ways to cook it. I thought the Swiss chard risotto came out well, and the chard gave it nice texture.

Then I got cocky and decided to make a sweet potato risotto for Thanksgiving, and I think it came out too dry. I probably cooked it way too long. I've read that it shouldn't take more than 20 minutes to cook a cup, and I was at it for about 30 minutes. Oh, well, I'll just keep trying! I have no problem eating my own bad cooking, and it's really fun to try to make such a challenging dish. Maybe next I'll try with butternut squash.

Do you like risotto? I hope you have a happy and auspicious 12/12/12!