Simple squash risotto

Simple squash risotto

Roasted squash gives this vegetarian supper for two a deep autumnal flavour

Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 2

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 15 20 mins

Cook time

Cook 35 mins

Vegetarian

Vegetarian

  1. Video tutorial: Risotto

Method

  1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Peel the squash and separate the bulbous seed-bearing section from the slender end. Chop the slender end into 2cm cubes, toss in half the oil, season lightly and roast in the oven, stirring occasionally, until golden brown on the outside and soft in the centre, about 30 mins. Cut the bulb in half and scrape out the seeds with a spoon - you can keep these to toast in the oven and sprinkle over salads. Chop the flesh into 2cm pieces. Warm the vegetable stock in a small pan, set over a low heat. Drop in squash and leave to gently poach.
  2. While the squash is roasting, warm a medium-size frying pan over a gentle heat. Add the remaining olive oil and half the butter, followed by the onion. Cover and cook for 3 mins until the onion turns translucent. Stir in the celery, garlic, herbs and a few turns of pepper (no salt at this stage). Cover again and cook for a further 2 mins. Increase the heat slightly and stir in the rice. Stir, uncovered, for about 5 mins - this will help to develop the toasty aroma of the rice without burning the veg.
  3. Turn up the heat, stir in the wine and let it bubble away to almost nothing. Reduce the heat and start adding the stock. Add one ladle at a time, stirring gently but constantly during each addition. The idea is to encourage the rice to absorb the liquid and soften, but also give up its starch to thicken the remaining broth. Don't stir too aggressively or you will end up with a pan of mush. When the stock has been absorbed, it's time to add the next ladleful and so on. It will take about 15 mins to reach the final ladle of stock. By this time the squash in the stock should have softened. Mash it up with the remaining stock and stir into the risotto.
  4. Turn off the heat, dot the top of the risotto with remaining butter and most of the Parmesan, cover, leave to rest for 2 mins, then stir through and check the seasoning. Spoon the risotto into shallow bowls and sprinkle the roasted squash and leftover Parmesan on top. Serve with crusty bread and Sautéed spinach (below).
Try

Sauteed spinach, shallots & garlic

Warm 2 tbsp light olive oil in a frying pan with lid, set over a medium heat and add 25g of finely sliced shallot and 1 finely sliced garlic clove. Stir and cook for 1 min until golden. Increase the heat and add 200g washed young leaf spinach. Stir briefly, then pour in 1 tbsp water and cover tightly to help create steam. Leave for 30 secs, then remove the lid, season and boil rapidly to evaporate any remaining liquid. Simply spoon into a bowl and serve.

864 kcalories, protein 19g, carbohydrate 83g, fat 51 g, saturated fat 21g, fibre 7g, salt 0.94 g

Recipe from Good Food magazine, October 2009.

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Latest comments and suggestions

  • Binder photo jog

    03 October 2009

    jog rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    easy recipe to follow, with a delicous result.

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  • 03 October 2009

    Mandinga rated and commented on this recipe

    5 stars

    Easily the best risotto I have ever made or eaten. Can't recommend this one highly enough!

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  • Binder photo Kim

    26 October 2009

    Kim commented on this recipe

    Can you make this with pumpkin also?

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  • 14 November 2009

    erica commented on this recipe

    Fantastic! My husband made this and got a special treat it was soooo good!

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Difficulty and servings

Easy

Serves 2

Preparation and cooking times

Preparation time

Prep 15 20 mins

Cook time

Cook 35 mins

Vegetarian

Vegetarian

Ingredients

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864 kcalories, protein 19g, carbohydrate 83g, fat 51 g, saturated fat 21g, fibre 7g, salt 0.94 g

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