Risi e Bisi
Serves 4
Pair With...
A crisp white wine would be a great pairing with this dish. The Garganega grape is used to make the iconic Soave wine of the Veneto region and provides a melony-citrus flavor and a lean, mineraly finish. Other options would be fuller-bodied Pinot Grigio, made predominately in the surrounding areas around Veneto or a Sauvingnon Blanc.
Ingredients
- 3 oz pancetta, fried and divided
- 2 cups frozen peas, divided
- 2 tbsp butter, divided
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 5 cups broth, vegetable or chicken, warmed
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano or Grana Padano, grated
- 1/2 cup scallion greens, sliced fine
- 2 tsp salt
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 cup parsley chopped
Preparation
- Cook the pancetta and set aside.
- In a heatproof bowl, add enough boiling water to cover 1 cup of the peas for 15 min.
- Drain and add to a food processor. Puree until smooth. Add a tablespoon of oil or water to loosen the mixture if necessary. Set aside.
- Add 1 tbsp oil and butter to a large deep pan over medium low heat.
- Add shallot and cook until softened about 5 min.
- Add the wine and cook 2 min.
- Stir in the rice and cook 3 min.
- Start to add the broth one cup at a time pausing until each cup is absorbed by the rice. This should take about 20 min.
- When only one cup of broth is left, taste the rice to see if it is cooked.
- Remove from heat and stir in the pea puree, 3/4 of the pancetta, cheese, remaining peas, scallions, salt, lemon juice and zest and parsley. If the mixture is too dry, add some of the remaining stock until mix is loose but not soupy.
- Garnish with more cheese and remaining pancetta.
- Serve.
Chris Chisholm is a Certified Specialist of Wine and a graduate of Boston University Wine Studies and Wine Making programs. He is also a graduate of Cook Street School of Culinary Arts in Denver, CO. He has worked as a personal chef and chef instructor.
If you have any questions, email Chris at chris@snugharborwine.com. You can also follow Chris on Instagram @winechefchris for more delicious food photos!