Meatless Monday

7 VEGETABLE RISOTTO

You can use any veggies in this but these are the ones I had in the house. I only puree the veggies my daughter has tried and didn't like ie squash. I use my kitchen aid stick blender with the chopper attachment for this but a Cuisinart will work too.

2 cups arborio rice

1/2 cup of white wine

2 cans of swansons "natural goodness" chicken broth

1 onion

1 clove of garlic

1 carrot

1 stick of celery

1 cup of finely chopped cauliflower

1/2 cup of finely chopped broccoli

1 cup of butternut squash peeled and cut into chunks

1 ear of corn or 1/2 cup of frozen corn

2 oz cheese grated, you pick. I used gruyere because that is what I had but you could use any tangy cheese just not that gross orange cheddar. Parmesan is another good one.

First prep the veggies...

Chop cauliflower, broccoli, cut corn off ear and put in a bowl to the side.

Peel and chop onion, celery, carrots into large chunks then process with garlic in a food processor until they are finely chopped but not pureed.

Steam butternut squash chunks until they are soft. I do them in the microwave. Puree.

In a large deep fry pan add 2 tbl olive oil add pureed onion mixture cook for a few mins over med to high heat. Next add the rice and cook for 2-3 mins until the rice looks shiny.

Lower heat to med/low add wine and stir until wine is absorbed. When the liquid has absorbed add 1/2 cup chicken broth and stir until absorbed. Keep adding liquid in this way until you use up all but 1/2 cup of stock. Cook until the rice is soft but not mushy..."al dente". Add the last 1/2 cup of stock and add the broccoli/cauliflower/corn and the squash puree. Remove from the heat and add cheese. If the risotto seems to thick add some more stock or water.

WARNING Do not walk away from this dish. It needs to be stirred constantly. It does not take long to make.

Now this dish can be adapted in many ways... you can leave out or add any veggies you like except for the onion mixture which I think gives it too much flavor. But of course if you are allergic leave it out. Vegetarians You can definitely use veg stock.

Vegans You could also leave out the cheese if you want. The butternut squash puree makes it very creamy.

It is also very good if you add bacon or prosciutto.

Other veggies I like in this... zucchini, pattypan squash, asparagus, spinach, peas, swiss chard, fennel, leeks.

Questions are welcome...