SPICED PEAR RISOTTO

Spiced Pear Risotto image

We love risotto and are always in search of fun and different ways to prepare it. I like to serve this fruity version with pork tenderloin.-Kim Berto, Port Orchard, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

6 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons butter
3 cups uncooked arborio rice
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
Dash cayenne pepper
1/4 cup apple cider or juice
1 large pear, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
Chopped chives, optional

Steps:

In a large saucepan, heat broth and keep warm. In a Dutch oven, saute the onion, red pepper and garlic in butter until tender, about 3 minutes. , Add the rice, five-spice powder and cayenne; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; add cider. Cook and stir until all the liquid is absorbed. , Add warm broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly. Allow the liquid to absorb between additions. Cook just until risotto is creamy and rice is almost tender. (Cooking time is about 25 minutes.) , Add the pear, 1/4 cup cheese and pepper; cook and stir until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. If desired, top with chopped chives.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 293 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 16mg cholesterol, Sodium 675mg sodium, Carbohydrate 54g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.