Asparagus, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese flavor this risotto made with brown rice. Instructions are given for the microwave as well as stove-top. Keep in mind that brown rice takes longer to cook than white rice.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 1/4 cup dried porcini mushroom pieces OR 1/2 cup chopped fresh portobello mushroom (1 medium-sized portobello)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 7/8 cup brown rice (1 cup less 2 Tablespoons)
- 1 (13-ounce) can chicken broth
- 2 Tablespoons tomato sauce or 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 (1-pound) bunch fresh asparagus
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation:
If using dried porcini mushrooms, soak in warm water for 30 minutes, drain, and chop.
Microwave method: In a 2-quart casserole, microwave the shallot, and mushrooms in the oil on high until sizzling, about 3 minutes. Stir in the brown rice to coat it with oil. In a saucepan, combine the broth and tomato sauce or paste, and heat to boiling on the range top. Pour the broth over the rice. Cover and microwave on high for 6 to 7 minutes, until boiling. Change the setting to medium, and continue to cook for 35 to 40 minutes, until the rice is just tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
Range-top method: Saut the shallot and mushrooms in a heavy, deep saucepan, and stir in the rice. In a second saucepan, combine the broth and tomato sauce or paste, and heat to boiling. Add about 1 cup of the hot broth to the rice. Remove the remaining broth from the heat.
Cook the rice at the lowest possible simmer, partially covered, stirring frequently, until the liquid is almost all absorbed. Add half the remaining broth (which can be warm or at room temperature) and repeat the procedure. Pour in the last of the broth and cook until the rice is tender. Total cooking time should be about 40 minutes. If all the broth is absorbed before the rice is cooked (a distinct possibility with brown rice, which takes so long to cook), add hot water a little at a time until the desired tenderness is reached.
Meanwhile, cut the tough ends off the asparagus and steam the stalks in a small amount of water in a covered skillet until just tender-crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Cut the stalks into 2-inch pieces. Stir the asparagus and Parmesan cheese into the risotto and serve.
Yield: 6 servings
Recipe Source: Superfoods by Dolores Riccio (Warner Books)
Reprinted with permission.
Microwave method: In a 2-quart casserole, microwave the shallot, and mushrooms in the oil on high until sizzling, about 3 minutes. Stir in the brown rice to coat it with oil. In a saucepan, combine the broth and tomato sauce or paste, and heat to boiling on the range top. Pour the broth over the rice. Cover and microwave on high for 6 to 7 minutes, until boiling. Change the setting to medium, and continue to cook for 35 to 40 minutes, until the rice is just tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
Range-top method: Saut the shallot and mushrooms in a heavy, deep saucepan, and stir in the rice. In a second saucepan, combine the broth and tomato sauce or paste, and heat to boiling. Add about 1 cup of the hot broth to the rice. Remove the remaining broth from the heat.
Cook the rice at the lowest possible simmer, partially covered, stirring frequently, until the liquid is almost all absorbed. Add half the remaining broth (which can be warm or at room temperature) and repeat the procedure. Pour in the last of the broth and cook until the rice is tender. Total cooking time should be about 40 minutes. If all the broth is absorbed before the rice is cooked (a distinct possibility with brown rice, which takes so long to cook), add hot water a little at a time until the desired tenderness is reached.
Meanwhile, cut the tough ends off the asparagus and steam the stalks in a small amount of water in a covered skillet until just tender-crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. Cut the stalks into 2-inch pieces. Stir the asparagus and Parmesan cheese into the risotto and serve.
Yield: 6 servings
Recipe Source: Superfoods by Dolores Riccio (Warner Books)
Reprinted with permission.
