Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Making the Perfect Risotto (almost)



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:


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).

Risotto with Swiss Chard
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!

18 comments:

  1. I love risotto! My favorite at the moment is lemon risotto. I'll post about it soon as I've just harvested from my myer lemon tree! Hope you find relief shortly from your job pressures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That would be great! A lemon risotto sounds refreshing. I love Meyer lemons and look forward to cooking with them when they come in season. I'd love to see how you make yours!

      Delete
  2. Yum! The risotto looks great. I've never made it myself (because I'm a terrible cook), but my hubby has a couple of great recipes. I know what you mean about job hunting--especially when you're working. Very tough. I finally gave up, quit my job, and now I work for myself! The money isn't as great, but I'm getting there. And the freedom and flexibility are priceless. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I admire you for taking that step. There's something so appealing about being your own boss. I hope things continue to improve for you. :)

      Delete
  3. I feel Ya... on the job situation. I'm grateful for my Job but heavens knows I could do a lot better!

    I have been busy with this new job and adjusting to my new town, I haven't been able to catch up with blogging or my fellow bloggers since October of 2011. I hope the new year will find me enjoying what I love most....Be it a new career/Job and all that's in between. I hope the same for you as well..

    I love risotto...never tried to make my own though. Perhaps I'll get lucky and find time to make some.
    Chat with you later...Vetsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vetsy! I think a lot of people are in our situation. Maybe things will turn around in the new year and we'll get to move into more rewarding careers!

      Delete
  4. I make risotto a fair bit. Butternut squash risotto is really good if you roast the butternut squash with garlic and oregano. Make a basic risotto and add the pumpkin, oregano and garlic at the end - works really well. Also good to try is using vermouth instead of wine and adding it at the end of the cooking process instread of near the start as you would the wine. I reckon 30 mins is probably about right though (depending on what heat you're cooking it over) - I don't like the the rice too too soft but I don't like it chalky either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love cooking tips! A roasted butternut risotto sounds perfect for the cold weather we have now. I haven't tried cooking it with wine. I never know what kind of wine to use...something good enough to drink or a cheaper, maybe not so drinkable version?

      Delete
  5. I can hear you with work...short handed and wanting to poke my eyes out from the agony even though I am thankful to have a job...I will be retiring from this one as I leave the stem after 30 yrs to pursue new goals...I have been eating a bit more risotto and loving it. Good luck on the job hunting and Happy Holidays.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations, Donna!! What a great way to start the new year. Good luck and Happy Holidays to you too!

      Delete
  6. I have made risotto, but my husband didn't care for it much, so I just make regular rice now. :( Rice doesn't sound nearly as delicious, either. Good luck with the job hunting. I hope you find the perfect one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I like rice too, I add peppers, onions, and tomatoes to make it seem less plain sometimes.

      Delete
  7. I liked the neatness of 12/12/12 too! Lets hope it's good for us all.

    Those pics really made me smile, lovely.
    "even if it's a job that makes me want to poke my eyes out with a stick covered in fire ants"....this had me laughing out loud!!!!
    I hope the work pressures ease up, and....that risotto has me drooling! Yum.xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  8. yumm, that risotto looks creamy and delicious! i like risotto with every available type of mushroom in it. something about that salty, savory, earthy flavor, and the texture combo is irresistible.

    i hear you on the busy-ness. there is never enough free time for fun stuff. best of luck in your job search!

    ReplyDelete
  9. 1. Merry Christmas
    2. I have a perfect, easy fudge recipe I will gladly share with you.
    3. Happy job hunting! I one had a job so miserable I came home and dug holes in the yard just to relieve my stress. They eventually became a garden.
    4. I make weird risotto. Yours looks much better than mine ever did.
    5. I want a clothes line full of kitties in granny panties!
    6. Happy New Year! :o)

    ReplyDelete
  10. there is a bag of risotto rice staring at me accusingly each time I open the cupboard. It is too HOT to stand over the stove stirring risotto. We eat rice, cooks while I make the most of cooler time in the garden. 2013 I'll make the risotto ...
    Good luck and success in finding the right job!

    ReplyDelete

Hello, and thanks for stopping by my garden site. I appreciate the time it takes to read posts and comment. Happy Gardening!