Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Leek Risotto :)

Ingredients:  (serves 4-6)  *all organic if possible

-1 medium leek (cut in half, then sliced finely)

-4 cloves of garlic (minced)

-1/2 of a sweet pumpkin if large or about 2 cups worth (cut into bite sized chunks)  *I used a sweet melon-pumpkin, but acorn squash (2 squash needed for recipe) or whatever squash/pumpkin you prefer as long as its sweet and has a drier flesh when cooked (butternut squash is too watery)

-2 cups of Arborio rice

-8-10 cups of chicken or vegetable broth (use low sodium if desired)   *I used full sodium broth only because I don\’t have to add salt later

-handful of pine nuts

-goats cheese

-2 tbsp of ghee or butter (unsalted)

-3 + 1/2 tbsp of olive oil

-1 + 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese (the good stuff is the best in risotto)

-salt and pepper to taste

Supplies:

-roasting pan, parchment paper, mixing bowl   *for the pumpkin/squash

-medium pot, landle  *for the broth

-small frying pan  *for pine nuts

-large, deep pot, wooden spoon  *for the risotto

Now there are a couple steps to this recipe, but I guarantee it won\’t disappoint.  Start by making sure all your ingredients are ready before starting the risotto, you need all your attention on the pot when the rice goes in!

Prep:

Chop leek, garlic, pumpkin/squash, and grate Parmesan cheese.  Have ready for use.

Start by adding 1 + 1/2 tbsp of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste, to the pumpkin/squash. Mix in a bowl and roast on pan with parchment paper for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees F, until slightly golden.  Set aside for later use.

Then, add all your chicken broth in the medium pot and allow to warm.  Have the ladle ready so you can add the broth into the rice when cooking begins.

Add the pine nuts into the small frying pan. Cook on medium heat until golden brown, set aside for later use.

Cooking the risotto:     *keep stirring when the rice is added, the whole time!

On medium-high heat add 2 tbsp of olive oil into the large deep pot.  When hot, add your leek, and saute for 2-3 minutes, or until soft.  Add the 2 cups of arborio rice to the pot.  Mix the leek, olive oil and rice together so that all the grains are covered with oil.  KEEP STIRRING, and cook the rice mixture until the outside of the rice grains are transparent, but the middle is opaque, and you can smell a slight nuttiness from the rice.  Then add the garlic to the pot, and stir in.

Now add 1 ladle of warm broth.  Keep stirring until the liquid is absorbed.  Then add another ladle of broth.  Keep stirring until the liquid is absorbed.  Keep doing this over and over, stirring the whole time, and start to taste the rice so you know when it is close to being cooked.  When it becomes Al Dente (still slightly chewy) and has the consistency of thick porridge, then add 1 more ladle of broth plus the 2 tbsp of ghee or butter.  Mix and cook until absorbed. Then take the pot off the heat immediately. Add in the Parmesan cheese and roasted pumpkin/squash. Mix together.

Separate risotto into individual serving bowls.  Then add the goat cheese in chunks and toasted pine nuts to the top of the risotto.  Serve immediately 🙂

I love this recipe because of its simple ingredients, yet bold taste.  I hope you love it too!

Thanks, and be aware and eat with care 🙂