February reminds me of romance. I guess because Valentine's Day is on the 14th, but also because there is snowfalls with white fresh snow, winter getaways, skiing, and cozying up by the fire. Maybe I am crazy and no one else is feeling this but me, but I just feel that it's a time of year that it's easy to get close to the ones we love, no matter who it is. I feel that after all the hustle and bustle with the holidays and the new year rolling in that in February we all kind of take a deep breath and get the opportunity to slow down. Which I welcome.
So maybe now that you do get some extra time, you'll want to get a little more experimental with your cooking and try something that you have never tried before or maybe even try something that you said, "I love it, but I will never make it."
I have a dish that I think is not only romantic, but also takes time and love to prepare. Once it is finished, it not only will be so delicious but also so rewarding.
Now are you wondering what it is??
Risotto. We are going to make Seafood Risotto.
Ariane's Seafood Risotto
Serves 4
2 cups Arborio rice
2 quarts chicken stock (can use vegetable)
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup thyme
1 cup small shrimp, peeled and deveined
½ cup bay scallops
Salt and pepper to taste
Warm your stock in a sauce pot and set aside. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add rice and lightly toast for 2-3 minutes. Slowly add ½ cup of warmed stock at a time. Stir and let the rice absorb the liquid before adding more. You will continue this for about 18 minutes or until rice gets al dente. Just a little bite. Add shrimp and scallops. Continue to cook for about another 3-5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add thyme and cheese to the amount you like and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
...isn't that baby octopus and squid rings in the picture? How many and how do you cook? Looks beautiful!
Hey Aunt Annette. Because the seafood your using in this is small and cooks quickly you do not need to saute ahead. However, if you had leftover fish of shrimp you could definitely use that.
Ariane I always thought you had to saute the fish befor adding it .this sounds easy I wil try it!
Aunt A