November 20, 2010

weekday risotto

I love cooking. More than anything. So cooking for Andy is my favorite thing to do. It was a weeknight, and usually we would just grab dinner OUT but i wanted to make him dinner IN. so i set to work on some risotto. Andy loves chicken and he loves lemon. here's what i made...

LEMON RISOTTO WITH BAKED CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI

First you chop up an onion. a whole onion. you need the natural sweetness of this baby. Then you mince up a few cloves of garlic.

Melt 4 TBs of butter. Toast up a few handfuls of arborio rice. Lightly. You don't want brown, you just want a nice nutty flavor from the rice.

Have a good amount of chicken of vegetable stock in a pan, warm.



Deglaze your pan with white wine if you have any laying around. Spoon in a few scoops of stock once your risotto is looking nutty. Season lightly. Always season as you go. This builds depth.



Reduce your stock in the risotto pan. Then add a little more. Stir Stir Stir. That's the secret to risotto.
Once you're risotto is getting soft enough to still be chewy, add butter and Parmesan until you get a creamy mixture. The stirring and adding of stock BEFORE will take about 25 minutes. Risotto takes time, but its worth it.




At the last minute i threw in some fresh baby spinach and lemon zest and juice.



I also boiled some broccoli and then finished it by baking it in the oven with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese.

I marinated my chicken in olive oil, fresh thyme, and lemon zest. I seared it in a VERY hot pan on both sides, and then finished it in a 350 degree oven.



ENJOY.

Andy boy cleaned up and ate it all up. best feeling in the world.




XOXO,
SHAWNI GIRL

19 comments:

  1. Mmmm! Your amazing!!! Looks delicious! <333

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  2. I. Love. Risotto. Delish!!! And don't you love cooking with your husband? It is one of my favorite ways to spend time with my husband.

    http://ashleyanderic.blogspot.com

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  3. Um.. this looks DELICIOUS. I want some!! :D

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  4. that looks so delicious! he's a lucky fella!

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  5. I looooove risotto. I usually buy a pre-made flavor package from Target; they actually taste incredible!

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  6. Yuuuuum! That looks so delicious! And you two look so cute! :]

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  7. That looks super delicious! You two are adorable! ^^

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  8. that looks beautiful! super delicious!

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  9. Looks soooo good! And I'll agree with everyone else. You guys are adorable. <3

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  10. aw yummy! loved this. you both are too cute - and that food looked delish!

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  11. Whoa man, fantastic! I think you should have far more frequent cooking posts...I'm so fascinated that you're a chef!

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  12. I am down for any type of risotto, but lemon risotto sounds beyond delicious.

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  13. yummy that looks so good. And I think I could make it.

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  14. That looks delicious - I'd love to try making it!

    P.S. - What a cute couple!<3

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  15. Seeeeee people want more cooking posts! :)

    This looks SO good. You're such a great cook bbylove. And how sweet is Andy for cleaning up?! Love.

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  16. That looks SOOOOOO delish! Oh my I think you may have inspired tonight's dinner?! YUM!

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  17. Amazing. I love when you post cooking posts! You are the cutest chef ever.

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  18. Mmmmmmm! This looks incredible. I LOVE risotto! And broccoli is my fav. Mmmmmmmmmm. Mind coming to Canada & cooking some of this for me? ;) hahah!

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