Best 2 Southern Risotto Recipes

Southern risotto is a flavorful and versatile dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With its creamy texture and rich flavors, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. There are many different variations of southern risotto, but the most popular is made with arborio rice, chicken stock, and vegetables. The rice is cooked in the stock until it is tender and creamy, and then the vegetables are added. Some common vegetables used in southern risotto include shrimp, chicken, and mushrooms. The dish is often finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese or a dollop of sour cream.

Let's cook with our recipes!

BLACK-EYED PEA RISOTTO WITH BACON AND SOUTHERN GREENS

Black-Eyed Pea Risotto with Bacon and Southern Greens image

Provided by Guy Fieri

Categories main-dish

Time 1h45m

Yield 8 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

8 ounces dried black-eyed peas, soaked and cooked
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup yellow onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 tablespoon seeded and diced fresh jalapeno pepper
1 teaspoon seeded and diced fresh serrano chile
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups Arborio rice
2 quarts chicken stock, hot
2 tablespoons butter, to finish
3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper
6 slices center cut bacon, cooked and cut into 1/2-inch pieces, reserve 2 tablespoons bacon fat
3 cups Swiss chard, (about 1 bunch) cleaned and sliced crosswise into 3/4-inch ribbons
3 cups collard greens, (about 1 bunch) cleaned and sliced crosswise into 3/4-inch ribbons
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar, plus 1 tablespoon more for "dressing"
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons good quality extra-virgin olive oil for "dressing"
1 tablespoon Parmesan
Salt and freshly cracked pepper

Steps:

Place peas in a pot and put enough cold water to cover beans. Soak for one hour. Then bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer until fully cooked, about one hour.
In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter, add onions, celery and peppers, when translucent and just starting to caramelize, add in garlic and saute briefly, add in rice and saute, stirring frequently to coat kernels with the oil for 2 minutes. Slowly start adding in the hot chicken stock 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly on medium-low heat. Continue this method until chicken stock remaining is about 1 cup and check for the consistency of the rice. It should be creamy with a tiny bit of resistance to the grain. Turn off heat, drain peas well, and slowly fold into risotto, adding the 2 tablespoons of remaining butter, Parmesan and salt and pepper, to taste. If risotto is too thick, gently stir in the remaining chicken stock to desired consistency.
Heat reserved bacon fat in a saute pan, stir in greens, allowing them to wilt, when almost wilted, add in 4 tablespoons vinegar, when wilted, add in bacon, zest and salt and pepper to taste.
Place risotto on serving plate(s) and top with the Southern Greens, dress with reserved tablespoon of vinegar and the extra-virgin olive oil. Garnish with a sprinkle of Parmesan.

SOUTHERN RISOTTO

Southern Risotto image

Provided by Damaris Phillips

Categories side-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 tablespoon coconut oil
1 1/2 cups short-grain brown rice
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon bourbon whiskey
6 1/2 cups mushroom broth or vegetable broth, heated
1 cup broccoli stems, peeled, small diced
1 cup asparagus, no tips, small diced
1 cup fresh peas
3 green onions, green parts only, sliced
1 cup shredded aged goat cheese
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 orange, juiced (about 1/2 cup)
Salt and pepper

Steps:

Melt the coconut oil in a 10-inch, high-sided saute pan over medium heat. Add the brown rice, stir to coat, and allow to toast, about 1 minute. Carefully (in case it flames) add the 1/4 cup bourbon, stirring to fully incorporate. Once the bourbon is mostly absorbed, add the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly. Wait until the liquid has evaporated, before adding another 1/2 cup. (You will have to babysit this a bit, but just be patient.) After you have added about 4 cups of the broth, add the broccoli, asparagus and peas. Continue adding the broth in 1/2 cup increments; you will notice the mixture starting to thicken. Stir and add the remaining broth. When the rice is tender, after about 45 minutes, stir in the goat cheese, orange zest, orange juice, and the remaining 1 tablespoon bourbon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Tips:

Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the final dish, so make sure to use the best you can find.
Cook the rice properly: Risotto is a delicate dish, and the rice needs to be cooked slowly and evenly to achieve the perfect texture. Don't rush the process, and make sure to stir the rice constantly.
Use a good stock: The stock you use will also have a big impact on the flavor of the risotto. Use a flavorful stock, such as chicken or vegetable stock, and make sure it is well-seasoned.
Don't add too much liquid: Risotto should be creamy, but not soupy. Add the liquid gradually, and stop adding it when the rice is cooked through and has a slightly al dente texture.
Stir in the cheese at the end: The cheese should be stirred into the risotto at the very end, just before serving. This will help to prevent the cheese from curdling.

Conclusion:

Risotto is a delicious and versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients. With a little practice, you can easily master this classic Italian dish. So next time you're looking for a special dinner recipe, give risotto a try. You won't be disappointed!