Best Fall Fennel Risotto Recipes

FENNEL RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cut the base off of the fennel bulbs, and cut a cone shape into the base to remove the core. Slice the fennel vertically (lengthwise) into 1/4 inch thick slices.
• Melt butter in a heavy-bottomed stock pot over medium heat. Cook onions and fennel in butter for 2 minutes. Stir in the rice; cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted. Stir in 1 cup vegetable broth; continue stirring until liquid is almost completely absorbed. Repeat this process with remaining broth, stirring constantly. Incorporating the broth should take 15 to 20 minutes in all.
• Stir in cream, 3 tablespoons Parmesan and parsley, and cook until rice is done and risotto is thick and creamy. Season to taste with black pepper. Divide risotto among 6 bowls, and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

FARRO RISOTTO WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Pulse 1 cup farro in a blender until about half is broken into smaller pieces. Cook 1 chopped shallot and 1 chopped small fennel bulb in 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, 5 minutes. Stir in the farro and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Add 4 cups water; bring to a simmer. Cook until the farro is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup grated parmesan and 2 tablespoons mascarpone; season with salt and pepper. Top with shaved parmesan and chopped fennel fronds.

FALL: FENNEL RISOTTO

Steps:

• Instead of adding the 2 tablespoons butter from the Basic Risotto recipe at the end, melt them at the beginning of cooking in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Then, add the fresh fennel, onions, and ground fennel and cook, stirring frequently, until the fresh fennel is soft and the onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add a few tablespoons of water, if necessary, to ensure that the vegetables do not brown. Set aside and proceed with the recipe as directed
• Add the cooked fennel mixture to the risotto when you add the Parmesan at the end.

SEASONAL RISOTTO

Steps:

• Basic Risotto
• Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a medium pot over medium-high heat and lower the flame to a simmer.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 4 minutes. Add the white wine and salt and continue to cook, stirring vigorously, until the wine has completely evaporated. Add 1 cup of the chicken stock and continue to cook and stir vigorously. When the chicken stock has been almost completely absorbed, about 7 minutes, add another cup of the chicken stock and continue to cook, stirring constantly but not vigorously. When the chicken stock has been almost completely absorbed, add the remaining 2 1/2 cups chicken stock and continue to cook, for a total cooking time of about 25 minutes, stirring gently so that the rice does not stick.
• Stir in the butter and Parmesan and mix to incorporate. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Transfer to a platter or serving plates and finish with a generous turn of the pepper mill.
• Spring: Pea, Carrot, and Chive Risotto
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the peas and carrots and boil for 2 minutes (if using frozen peas, then just cook the carrots). Strain the vegetables through a fine-mesh sieve and cool under cold running water. Set aside.
• Add the cooked peas and carrots and the chives to the risotto when you add the butter and Parmesan.
• Summer: Fava Bean, Spinach, and Mushroom Risotto
• To shuck the fava beans, bring a medium pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Meanwhile, fill a small bowl with ice water.
• When the water is boiling, add the fava beans and cook for 90 seconds. Immediately remove the beans with a strainer and place them in the cold water until cool, about 2 minutes. Keep the pan of water at a boil. Drain the beans, then peel off the tough outer skins; set aside. Add the spinach to the boiling water, and cook for 1 minute. Strain the spinach and beans and cool under cold running water. Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium sauté pan over high heat. Add the mushrooms and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms begin to brown. Remove them from the heat and set aside.
• Add the cooked beans, spinach, and mushrooms to the risotto when you add the butter and Parmesan.
• Fall: Fennel Risotto
• Instead of adding the 2 tablespoons butter from the Basic Risotto recipe at the end, melt them at the beginning of cooking in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Then, add the fresh fennel, onions, and ground fennel and cook, stirring frequently, until the fresh fennel is soft and the onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add a few tablespoons of water, if necessary, to ensure that the vegetables do not brown. Set aside and proceed with the recipe as directed
• Add the cooked fennel mixture to the risotto when you add the Parmesan at the end.
• Winter: Prosciutto Risotto
• Add the prosciutto along with the onions at the beginning of the cooking process.
• Variation: Saffron Risotto
• Soak the saffron threads in the warm water for 5 minutes. Set aside. Add the saffron to the risotto along with the final addition of chicken stock. Proceed with the recipe as directed.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND FENNEL RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. When butter is melted, add sliced onion and fennel and stir until coated. Cover the pan and cook slowly until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in salt and sugar. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently until onions are dark brown, about 25-30 minutes.
• Simmer broth in a separate pot on the stove.
• To the onions and fennel, add garlic, Arborio rice and herbs. Cook, stirring frequently until the rice is translucent around the edges, about 3 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring frequently, until fully absorbed, 4 to 5 minutes. When the wine is fully absorbed, add 2 cups hot broth and simmer, stirring every 3 to 4 minutes until liquid is absorbed, about 12 minutes. Stir in another 1/2 cup of hot broth and cook, stirring constantly until absorbed. Repeat with additional broth 2 or 3 more times, until rice is al dente. Remove risotto from heat and stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter and Parmesan. Serve.