I couldn't resist the Valentine's recipe challenge (listed in my Valentine's round up) from www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk – blog a recipe for a starter, main or dessert course for a Valentine's meal and you might win a Thorntons chocolate hamper - but you've got to be super quick and do it TODAY!
Here's my recipe for beetroot risotto, which I reckon would make a delicious vegetarian starter, served up using a heart-shaped cutter - it's the perfect colour for a Valentine's dish. The apple juice gives the risotto a real tang!
Beetroot Risotto (2 starter-sized portions plus some lunchbox leftovers!)
300ml vegetable stock
200ml apple juice
25g butter
1 small onion, diced
175 g Arborio risotto rice
70ml dry cider
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
2 small beetroots, peeled and grated
Salt and pepper
Grated parmesan, to serve
• Combine the stock and apple juice in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
• Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat; add the onion, and sauté for 5 minutes.
• Add the rice, stir well, and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the cider and simmer until it’s absorbed, then stir in the beetroot and herbs.
• Add 250ml of the juice/stock mix, then cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed.
• Add the remaining liquid a ladle at a time, stirring constantly and waiting until it is absorbed before adding the next ladle. Keep adding liquid until the rice is tender - you might not need the full amount.
• Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the parmesan.
Check out all the Valentines gifts available at Find Me A Gift!
Here's my recipe for beetroot risotto, which I reckon would make a delicious vegetarian starter, served up using a heart-shaped cutter - it's the perfect colour for a Valentine's dish. The apple juice gives the risotto a real tang!
Beetroot Risotto (2 starter-sized portions plus some lunchbox leftovers!)
300ml vegetable stock
200ml apple juice
25g butter
1 small onion, diced
175 g Arborio risotto rice
70ml dry cider
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
2 small beetroots, peeled and grated
Salt and pepper
Grated parmesan, to serve
• Combine the stock and apple juice in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.
• Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat; add the onion, and sauté for 5 minutes.
• Add the rice, stir well, and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the cider and simmer until it’s absorbed, then stir in the beetroot and herbs.
• Add 250ml of the juice/stock mix, then cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed.
• Add the remaining liquid a ladle at a time, stirring constantly and waiting until it is absorbed before adding the next ladle. Keep adding liquid until the rice is tender - you might not need the full amount.
• Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the parmesan.
Check out all the Valentines gifts available at Find Me A Gift!
