Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts

Pesto Risotto

The creamy artichoke pesto in this recipe is just the last touch for a delicious veggie risotto.


Ingredients
(for two servings)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
1 carrot, diced
1/2 cup small broccoli pieces
1/2 cup small cauliflower pieces
1/4 cup bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup frozen peas, defrosted
1 cup vegetable broth
1 1/4 cups water
3/4 cup Arborio rice
1/4 cup white wine
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons artichoke pesto
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup feta cheese
lime wedges

Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil and fry half of the onions until transparent yellow. Add the diced carrot and fry for a few minutes until tender (but not soggy). Add the broccoli, cauliflower, and bell pepper, frying until tender yet still a little crisp. Remove from pan and set aside.

Warm the broth and water over low heat in a separate saucepan.

Heat another tablespoon of olive oil, fry the rest of the onions as before, and add the rice, stirring together. Turn heat to medium-low. Add the white wine and stir it in. Add a 1/2 cup of the warmed broth mixture, then cover the rice and allow it to absorb the broth. Once it is absorbed (a couple minutes later) add another 1/2 cup, and so on until all of the broth is added.

Once the rice is tender and chewy, remove from heat and stir in the fried vegetables, peas, parmesan cheese, artichoke pesto, salt, and pepper. Serve into dishes and top with feta cheese and a sprinkle of lime.



Alfredo Sauce from Scratch


Not the healthiest meal, but if you’ve just returned from the gym and are eager to reward yourself with a heart-stopping Italian favorite, use this delicious Alfredo Sauce!

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

¼ cup butter
4 oz. cream cheese
1 cup milk
½ cup parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
pepper to taste
(optional: dash of cayenne pepper)

Boil your favorite pasta in salted water. When it's getting close to done, make the alfredo sauce:

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the cream cheese and melt that as well. Stir in the milk, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and pepper.

Keep it on low heat until the pasta is done. (The sauce will thicken up quickly when you remove it from heat.)  After you've drained your pasta, mix the sauce in with it.  If you'd like, sprinkle a little more parmesan cheese and pepper over the top.  I think cayenne pepper also complements the creamy flavor very nicely.

Let's Eat In! Copyright © 2011 Kristin Tucker