8 October 2008

Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash

Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash

As a humble member of the Barefoot Bloggers I am rolling up my shirt sleeves and cooking up a storm with the Barefoot Contessa herself and all the other wonderful members of this illustrious group. We're an [extra]ordinary group of cooks and bakers with a love of all things Ina. We test and retest Ina Garten's recipes as a whole and then blog about our results and recipes on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month. This gives me the opportunity to try more of Ina's recipes as well as not having to think of what's for dinner at least 2 nights in the month!! Bonus!!! Plus I get to meet so many more new people. This time around the recipe was chosen by Rachel of Rachel Likes to Cook . It can be found in Barefoot Contessa Family Style on page 86.



Tidbit: Her gourmet shop that she ran in the Hamptons for 20 years was named for the Humphrey Bogart/Ava Gardner film "The Barefoot Contessa". She sold the store and invested her own money in a cookbook, never expecting it to take off as it has. Now approaching 60, she has five cookbooks, a top-rated show on the Food Network, and a line of prepared foods.

In case I didn't already mention it previously my daughter is going to university here in town once again. This is nice for me because then L'il Burnt Toast and I can collaberate on meals and experiment endlessly...if she is home of course....thatis one very social girl. Plus it is just plain nice to have her home!!!!! We invited her boyfriend over for dinner and a movie and this dish is what she suggested when she found out I was preparing it for the BB's. We served it with my infamous Grilled Lamb Chops which stood its ground with this flavourful dish, Steamed Asparagus...plus a salad with baby greens and goat cheese rounds....recipe coming another time...if my camera issues are resolved.

This risotto is delicious and was a big hit with the perfect amount of creaminess. Thanks go out to the BB for bringing this one to my attention!!!!Leave it to Ina to make the perfect risotto!!!

The Barefoot Bloggers have made 35,136 Friday dinners for Jeffrey.

**Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash**

1 butternut squash (2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 ounces pancetta, diced (sorry but I omitted this)
1/2 cup minced shallots (2 large)
1- 1/2 cups Arborio rice (10 ounces)
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon saffron threads
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into 3/4-inch cubes. You should have about 6 cups. Place the squash on a sheet pan and toss it with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing once, until very tender. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock in a small covered saucepan. Leave it on low heat to simmer.
In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and saute the pancetta and shallots on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until the shallots are translucent but not browned. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with butter. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 full ladles of stock to the rice plus the saffron, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir, and simmer until the stock is absorbed, 5 to 10 minutes. Continue to add the stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes. Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more stock. Continue until the rice is cooked through, but still al dente, about 30 minutes total.

Off the heat, add the roasted squash cubes and Parmesan. Mix well and serve.

Serves 4 - 6

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.
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42 comments:

  1. Grilled lamb chops?! Saffron Risotto with Butternut Squash?!!! Oh please set a place at the table for me! This is a wonderful meal! I also enjoy Ina. I think she'd be so overjoyed if she new that you've all made 35,136 dinners! I recently received a package of her cooking DVD's as a gift. She's just wonderful; I love how she uses those take out containers for her picnics! YUM!

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  2. Saffron with the butternut squash sounds like such an interesting combo! I bet it tastes heavenly!
    Great dinner Val, it's nice spoiling LBT, isn't it.

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  3. I love putting saffron in risotto for the color alone.

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  4. A great plate! That risotto looks really good and incredibly moist and creamy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. Oh my, that risotto sounds so decadent! Butternut is my favorite.

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  6. Can I come over for dinner too? I love lamb chops and that risotto is perfect with them...

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  7. Wow, although I am not a big fan of lamb, lamb chops are really delicious and I love saffron in risotto as well.

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  8. I love Ina Garten! And this risotto looks so delicious! I bet it was fantastic served with lamb chops. Consider your dinner drooled over!

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  9. Maybe this would work for a dinner party I'm having on Saturday....Hmmm...

    It's a bit out of my norm...maybe I should just try it first. I'm curious about the squash and pancetta pairing.

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  10. I have been wanting to make a butternut squash risotto for the last couple of years now. I think it's high time I did so!

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  11. Those lamb chops look to die for! I'm not a real fan of rissoto but I must admit that yours does look good!

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  12. I loved this first attempt with the bloggers! Yours looks extra delicious with the lamb chops.

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  13. Looks like an amazing dinner! Risotto is one of my favorite dishes and so versatile. I just love it and with butternut squash how could you ever go wrong! One of my favorite vegetables.

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  14. It's to much fun to see you Barefoot Bloggers in action! What a great meal for you, L'il Burnt Toast, and her boyfriend to share!

    I have looked at this particular risotto recipe from Ina for some time, but have never made it. I think it's time to give it a go---with the lamb, it sounds particularly appealing.

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  15. Oh I'll bet the grilled lamb chops were delicious with the risotto!

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  16. Wow, what a great combination. Looks delicious!

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  17. What a great recipe to feature. I really, really need to start making risotto's. Fast, easy and oh so elegant!

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  18. So I'm gathering that you're fine with the boyfriend. If not, cooking like this will NEVER get rid of him

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  19. I love these risottos that are all over the blogosphere today! Looks delicious Valli! :)

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  20. I didn't know that about Ina.

    Way cool

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  21. Watch out, that boyfriend is going to want to settle in for family dinners for a good long while if you keep cooking like this! I think lamb and risotto are two of my 'last meal ever' picks. Looks amazing, Val!

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  22. This meal is so Canadian...lamb chops holding onto summer, squash risotto welcoming autumn.

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  23. This surely looks great with the Risotto. Nice to be cooking again with your daughter.

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  24. Risotto is probably my favourite comfort food, and I adore squash so this would be a winner in my house.

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  25. Oh yum, I can only imagine the flavors here....I'm sure Jeffrey loved it.

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  26. I really like the sweet butternut squash in the creamy and cheesy risotto and the saffron sounds like a nice addition.

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  27. WOW Val...that's a great meal you've put together. Can see loads of love, effort & flavour coming out of it! Delicious!!

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  28. Oh my goodness-you made it even better. Love the lambchops. The colors are fantastic.

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  29. I love risotto and this looks like a good one! I would probably just have it on it's own as a main course. Perfect autumn fare :)

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  30. Glad to hear you have your daughter around to share this with - what a wonderful thing to pass on to her.

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  31. I looked at this exact recipe yesterday and was tempted. You have yet again pushed me in the right direction.....butternut risotto it will be this weekend!!!!

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  32. Just got my WFD entry up today.

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  33. grilled lamb and risotto sounds wonderful.hope u guys had a nice evening

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  34. Oh it's almost time to get the dinner on here, and this looks mighty tempting!

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  35. this risotto sounds wonderful. And how nice to know the recipe has been tested by so many reliable cooks! Sounds like a keeper!

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  36. Mmmm.... I love the combination of saffron and butternut squash, Val. I have made risottos with each but not together in the same dish. That's gonna change now. :)

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  37. I made that same risotto! Check mine out here. Yours looks great. Love the lamb chops too.

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  38. *sigh* I have to omit pancetta frm my risotto recipes too. Darn that Sir Pickypants!

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  39. I'm a huge Ina Garten fan and have all of her books. It's such fun to see you cooking your way through her wonderful (and already well tested) recipes.

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  40. you know, i rarely watch her show, but i've been pleased the few times i have. my mom especially enjoys her. this recipes looks great, and i love love love butternut squash. good for the BFB!! you guys stay bizzzzay!

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  41. Squash risotto, one of my favourites Val! Love the addition of saffron too.

    Chers
    David

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  42. Oooh, I do love squash in risotto! And the saffron colour is too gorgeous. Really sorry I was away and missed World FOod Day. I guess there's always next year...

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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