The other night a good friend of mine came over and we decided to try a recipe out of my new vegetarian recipe book. We both love risotto and my favourite vegetable is courgette (baby marrows) so we chose the courgette and basil risotto. It was such a success I just had to share it with you!
Ingredients you will need:
1.5 litres Vegetable Stock
4 Tbsp Basil-Flavoured Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Plus Extra for Drizzling (we used plain olive oil and just added more fresh basil to the risotto)
4 Courgettes, Diced
1 Yellow Pepper, Deseeded and Diced
2 Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped
1 Large Onion, Finely Chopped
400g Risotto Rice
4 Tbsp Dry, White Vermouth
2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
Large Handful of Fresh Basil Leaves, Torn, Plus Extra to Garnish
85g Parmesan Cheese, Grated
Salt and Pepper
Method:
Bring the stock to the boil and then reduce the heat, allowing it to simmer over low heat while you cook the rest of the meal.
Heat half of the olive oil in a frying pan over high heat. When hot (not smoking) add the courgettes and yellow pepper, stir-fry for three minutes or until lightly golden. Stir in the garlic and cook for a further minute. Transfer the veggies to a plate and set aside.
Heat the rest of the oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring every now and then, for around two minutes, until soft. Add the risotto and cook. Stir frequently for around two minutes until the rice is translucent and well-coated with oil. Pour in the vermouth; it will bubble and steam, almost immediately evaporating.
Slowly add the stock, one ladleful at a time until the rice absorbs all the moisture. Continue to stir constantly. Increase the heat so the liquid bubbles and cook for 20-25 minutes. Once all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is creamy yet firm to the bite, add the vegetable mixture.
Mix in the butter, basil leaves and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately with some fresh basil to garnish.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
