Burnt Spring Onion Risotto is a rich and creamy vegetarian dish that is brightened and cut with fiery sweetness and smoky flavors, thanks to charred spring onions and a fresh tomato salsa.

Serves 4

deliciousmagazine.co.uk

INGREDIENTS
Vegetable oil to fry
20g unsalted butter
5 garlic cloves
2 bunches spring onions
300g risotto rice
200ml white wine
700ml vegetable stock, warmed
100g cherry tomatoes
½ red chilli
½ red onion, separated into petals (see tips)
100g mascarpone
Juice ¼ lime
½ tsp sugar
1 tsp red wine vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a dash of oil and the butter in a medium saucepan. Finely slice 4 of the garlic cloves (leave the remaining one unpeeled) and half the spring onions. Add both to the pan and cook over a medium heat for 5 minutes.

Add the risotto rice to the pan, stir for 1 minute, then pour in the wine and simmer until all the liquid has evaporated/been absorbed by the rice. Add a ladle of warm stock, letting the rice absorb the stock before adding another and stirring regularly throughout.

Meanwhile, put a large frying pan over a high heat and add the second bunch of spring onions (halved to fit in the pan if needed) with a tiny drizzle of oil. Leave to fry undisturbed until charred black on one side. Turn them over and char on the other side, then set aside to cool. Add the cherry tomatoes, chilli, remaining unpeeled garlic clove and onion petals to the pan, then cook until blackened all over.

Roughly chop the charred spring onions and put in a blender or food processor with the mascarpone. Whizz until combined and quite smooth. Once the risotto is cooked, season with salt, pepper and the lime juice, then gently stir in the mascarpone. Put a lid on the pan and leave to sit for 5 minutes.

Peel the charred garlic clove, then whizz it up with the charred tomatoes, red onion petals, sugar and vinegar. Divide the risotto among bowls, adding a dollop of the smoky tomato salsa on top.

Note:
– To separate an onion into petals, you’ll need your half onion to be halved through the root. You then chop off the tip, peel the onion and separate the petal-like layers.

All of the comfort of a tomato soup, Tomato Soup Risotto is in the form of a creamy, cheesy risotto. Serve this decadent risotto alongside chicken or roasted vegetables.

Serves 4 as side

giadzy.com

INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 shallot, chopped
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 (11.11- ounce) jar Bio Orto Datterini Tomatoes, drained or 14oz can
1 cup arborio or carnaroli rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup mascarpone cheese
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons chives, optional for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS
Heat a medium Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the hot pan. Heat until the butter is fully melted. Add the shallot, garlic and the salt to the pan. Cook stirring often until fragrant and the shallots are beginning to soften, about 1 minute.

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the drained tomatoes to the pan and lightly smash the tomatoes with the back of wooden spoon. Cook stirring often until the tomatoes are all smashed and coated in the flavorful oil, about 3 minutes.

Add the rice and stir to coat. Toast the rice, stirring often, until the tomato liquid is fully absorbed and it smells of rich tomato, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the wine and cook until it is fully absorbed, another 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and cook, stirring often until the stock is almost entirely absorbed, about 5 minutes. Add 1 1/4 cups of water and stir until the rice is creamy and still a touch al dente, another 7 to 10 minutes. It should still move freely in the pan and not be too thick. If it is too thick or still too al dente, add another 1/4 cup of water.

Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, mascarpone cheese, and parmesan cheese. Spoon into shallow bowls and serve drizzled sprinkled with chives and more parmesan if desired.

From Giada’s Holiday recipes on Food Network, but can be used any time.

Serves 6

foodnetwork.com

INGREDIENTS
Kosher salt
1 pound fusilli con buco pasta, such as Rustichella d’Abruzzo or Setaro
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, smashed
2 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
1 cup mascarpone, at room temperature
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon pink peppercorns, ground

INSTRUCTIONS
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just short of al dente, 10 or 11 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and olive oil to the hot skillet. When the butter is melted, add the garlic; cook, stirring often, until soft and fragrant. Add 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then reduce the heat to low.

When the pasta is ready, lift it out of the water and add it directly to the sauce; reserve the pasta water. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the pasta and stir to combine. Return the heat to medium, add the mascarpone, lemon zest and 3/4 teaspoon salt and toss well. Continue cooking until the pasta is al dente, another minute or two, adding pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.

Add the peas and lemon juice; toss well to combine. Add more pasta water as needed to reach the desired sauce consistency (you will most likely use about 1 1/2 cups pasta water in all).

Sprinkle with the pink pepper and additional Parmesan, if desired.

Giada’s Thanksgiving dessert.

Serves 12

foodnetwork.com

INGREDIENTS
8 large dry almond-anise biscotti, or your favorite biscotti [make your own]
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
One 8-ounce container mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
3 eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips
Italian cherries in syrup, such as Amarena, for serving, optional

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Pulse the biscotti to fine crumbs in a food processor. Drizzle in the butter, add the salt and pulse until the mixture has the texture of wet sand. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Bake for 8 minutes, until the crust smells toasted and is beginning to brown. Set aside to cool while you make the filling. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, mascarpone and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula. Add the salt, vanilla and lemon zest; beat on medium speed until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the chocolate chips.

Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust and spread evenly. (Put pan on baking sheet to prevent possible leakage in oven.) Bake for 45 minutes, or until the center of the cake still moves just slightly (may take over an hour).

Allow the cheesecake to cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Run a knife around the edge of the pan before releasing the collar.

Top each slice of cheesecake with a spoonful of cherries, if using.