Best Black Eyed Pea Risotto With Bacon And Southern Greens Recipes

SOUTHERN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Melt the coconut oil in a 10-inch, high-sided saute pan over medium heat. Add the brown rice, stir to coat, and allow to toast, about 1 minute. Carefully (in case it flames) add the 1/4 cup bourbon, stirring to fully incorporate. Once the bourbon is mostly absorbed, add the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly. Wait until the liquid has evaporated, before adding another 1/2 cup. (You will have to babysit this a bit, but just be patient.) After you have added about 4 cups of the broth, add the broccoli, asparagus and peas. Continue adding the broth in 1/2 cup increments; you will notice the mixture starting to thicken. Stir and add the remaining broth. When the rice is tender, after about 45 minutes, stir in the goat cheese, orange zest, orange juice, and the remaining 1 tablespoon bourbon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

HOPPIN' JOHN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cook chopped bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until bacon is crisp, about 6 minutes. Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Add 2 tablespoons butter to bacon fat in skillet and heat over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook sliced onions with 1/2 teaspoon table salt, stirring occasionally, until golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup caramelized onions in a bowl and set remaining caramelized onions aside in skillet.
• While onions are caramelizing, simmer frozen black-eyed peas (if using) in 2 cups water in a 2-quart saucepan, uncovered, over moderate heat until just tender, about 15 minutes, and drain peas in a colander.
• Cook red onion and celery in 2 tablespoons butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add rice and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in wine and boil over moderately high heat until wine is reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
• Add caramelized onions from skillet, black-eyed peas (cooked frozen ones or canned), pancetta, thyme, red pepper flakes, remaining 3/4 teaspoon table salt, and 4 cups chicken stock and briskly simmer, uncovered, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Add remaining 4 cups chicken stock and briskly simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed and rice is just tender and creamy-looking, 15 to 20 minutes. Add remaining 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick) and lemon juice, stirring until butter is incorporated.
• Divide risotto among 8 shallow bowls or dinner plates and sprinkle with bacon. If serving with verbena-brined pork chops (recipe precedes), top with chops. Sprinkle with coarse black pepper and sea salt, then top each serving with about 1 tablespoon reserved caramelized onion and sprinkle with chopped parsley.