RISOTTO WITH SQUASH BLOSSOMS

Risotto with Squash Blossoms image

These beauties can be served alone, or go crazy and stuff them with herbed ricotta or goat cheese before frying.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains Rice Recipes

Yield Risotto with Squash Blossoms

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

4 cups Homemade Chicken Stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 cup for frying
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
1 cup finely chopped onion
2 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 1/4 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
14 squash blossoms
1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup cold whole milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Coarsely chopped opal basil, for garnish
Freshly grated Parmesan, for garnish

Steps:

In a medium saucepan, bring the stock to a boil, reduce heat to low, and keep at a bare simmer.
Heat the olive oil in a heavy 4-quart saucepan over medium heat; add leeks, onions, and garlic, and saute, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until soft but not browned, about 6 minutes. Add rice, and continue stirring until the edges of the rice are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add wine, and cook, stirring constantly, until nearly all the wine is absorbed, about 30 seconds.
Raise the heat to medium high. Add salt and pepper to taste, and about 1/2 cup of the simmering stock; cook, stirring constantly, until nearly all the stock is absorbed. Continue adding stock, about 1/2 cup at a time; adjust seasonings. Cook, stirring constantly, allowing each addition to be nearly absorbed before adding the next, until the rice is creamy but slightly firm in the center, about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, fry the squash blossoms. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until very hot, but not smoking. Prepare batter, by combining egg yolk, milk, flour, and 2 tablespoons cold water with a whisk. Dip each blossom in the batter and gently transfer to the hot oil. It will be necessary to do this in small batches. Fry until crispy and light brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Roughly chop six of the cooked squash blossoms, and gently combine with the cooked rice. Divide the risotto among four plates, and garnish with the remaining fried whole squash blossoms. Serve immediately.