SAFFRON RISOTTO WITH SCALLOPS

Saffron Risotto With Scallops image

The focus here is on bay scallops, which are smaller than their ocean counterparts and bring a briny sweetness to any dish. It is worth saving fish heads and shrimp shells to make seafood stock, but if homemade is not available, the store-bought kind will do. Watch the cooking time -- the rice should be served al dente. (The New York Times)

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 medium-size onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups Italian arborio rice for risotto
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon saffron
4 1/2 cups hot well-seasoned fish stock (approximately)
1 pound Peconic or Nantucket Bay scallops
Salt and hot red pepper flakes to taste

Steps:

Heat butter in heavy three-quart saucepan. Add onion and saute over medium heat until translucent but not brown. Stir in rice and cook, stirring, until grains turn white. Stir in wine and cook, stirring, for five minutes, until most of the wine has evaporated.
Meanwhile, place the saffron in a small dish and pour a cup of the hot stock over it.
When most of the wine has evaporated, stir in a half cup of the stock and adjust the heat so the mixture cooks at a steady simmer. When most of that stock has evaporated, stir in the stock with the saffron and continue to cook, stirring frequently.
Continue adding stock, about a half cup at a time, stirring frequently, until the rice is just barely tender, about 15 minutes longer. You may not need to add all the remaining stock.
Stir in scallops. Continue cooking, stirring gently, another three to five minutes, until rice is al dente and scallops are cooked. Add a little stock if necessary. Season to taste with salt and red pepper flakes; serve at once.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 299, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 44 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 791 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams