Roasted Red Pepper And Tomato Risotto

This risotto dish is packed full of punch, perfect for a smaller lunch dish or a get together meal.   Risotto is a great dish to make, especially if you've not got a lot in the fridge, or want to make something simple that doesn't require hours of prep.  Give this Northern Italian dish a try, and make those boring weeknight dinners a little bit tastier!

Ingredients:

 (serves 2, double up to serve 4)

1 Onion

180g Arborio Rice

1 Red Pepper

2 Sticks Celery

10g Parsely

3 Garlic Cloves

125g Vine Cherry Tomatoes

1 Chicken Stock Cube (dissolved 700ml boiling water)

25g Tomato Puree 

1 tsp Mixed Herbs 

1 Glass White Wine 

Knob of Butter

Drizzle Olive Oil 

Basil (to garnish)

Herb Crusted Goats Cheese (optional garnish)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/ 160°C (fan)/ Gas 4. Finely chop onion and celery and put to one side. Chop the pepper (and de seed), and place on oven tray. Lay tomatoes out on tray (keep on the vine), and bash garlic cloves and place on tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place in oven for 20-25 minutes.

2. Heat butter and a small drizzle of olive oil in a wide based pan. Sautee the finely chopped onion and celery, until transparent. Add the arborio rice, you can add in batched, to ensure all grains are coated in the butter and oil. Cook for 1 minute. 

3. Then you want to add your glass of white wine in stages, letting each addition of the wine be completely evaporated/ soaked in before the next addition.  

4.. In a blending jug add the hot water (that has slightly cooled to warm temperature), stock cube, roasted pepper, tomato (off the vines) and garlic. Blend to create the red stock base.  Do not blend with hot water as this can be dangerous (I learned this the hard way!)

5. Once blended, you want to add the stock to the rice ladle at a time. Stir continuously whilst adding the stock, until rice is cooked and looks creamy.

6. Add the finely grated parmesan and stir through till melted.

7. Chop the parsley finely and stir through. Add basil and a sprinkling of parmesan to garish. You can also add herb crusted goats cheese which tastes delicious when melted in! Bon apetit!