Winter Squash Risotto

Serves: 6

Destiney Bartoletti

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

40

Spice

49

Sweetness

51

Sourness

40

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

3 tbsps

Unsalted Butter

2 tbsps

Olive Oil

Directions:

1

To prepare the squash butter: In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients

2

Cover and set aside at room temperature

3

The spiced butter may be prepared up to 8 hours in advance, covered, and refrigerated

4

To prepare the caramelized squash: In a large saute pan, melt the butter over medium heat

5

Season the squash with salt and pepper, add it to the pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned, about 6 minutes

6

Cover and cook until tender, about 5 minutes

7

Add the brown sugar and cook until the squash is caramelized, but still holding its shape, about 2 minutes

8

Set aside

9

The caramelized squash may be prepared as much as 1 hour in advance, covered, and held at room temperature

10

To assemble the risotto: In a large saucepan, bring the stock to a boil over high heat

11

Reduce the heat and keep hot on a very low flame

12

In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat

13

Add the bacon and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes

14

Add the shallots and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes

15

Reduce the heat to medium-low

16

Stir in the rice, sage, and thyme

17

Cook stirring with a wooden spoon, until the rice is coated, has released its starch, turns a milky opaque white, and begins to stick to the bottom of the pan

18

7 to 10 minutes

19

Add the wine and boil until completely reduced, 2 to 3 minutes

20

Ladle about 1 cup of the simmering stock into the rice

21

Cook, stirring often, until the stock is almost completely absorbed by the rice

22

Continue cooking and stirring, adding another cup of stock only when the previous addition has been absorbed

23

After 15 minutes, begin tasting the rice

24

At this point, add the remaining stock judiciously

25

The rice should be firm, yet cooked through in 18 to 20 minutes total cooking time

26

Stir in the spiced butter and the parsley, and season with salt and pepper, then gently fold in the squash cubes, keeping them as intact as possible

27

Transfer the risotto to warmed bowls and serve immediately