As Divya from Flavour Fiesta reminded us with her beautiful guest post about Rosewater, Cardamom and Pistachio Cake, October has been Breast Cancer Awareness month. So, I thought there couldn’t be a better way to conclude this month than by posting my Strawberry Risotto: pink risotto for the cause! Strawberry risotto is a savoury dish. Yes, you read that right. I know it may sound a bit strange, but strawberries do not taste sweet when cooked in a risotto. This dish is delicious, delicate and really elegant. Doesn’t it look pretty? If you are looking for that “wow” factor at your next dinner party… look no more. This will impress everyone! Enjoy!
Ingredients (for 4 persons):
350 gms rice (Arborio, Carnaroli or Vialone nano)
3 green onions or 1/2 onion, finely chopped
350 gms strawberries, 2/3 pureed and 1/3 chopped (+ 4 for garnishing)
4 tbsp butter
1/2 glass white wine
1 lt salty water or vegetable stock (I used water as I did not want the stock to overpower the delicate flavour of the strawberries)
4 tbsp Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated
Salt to taste
Start by putting the water with a pinch of salt in a pot and heat it on the fire. The water has to be hot all the time while you are cooking risotto, so that the rice temperature does not drop when you add the water to it.
Put the finely chopped green onion/onion and half the butter in a pot and let it cook on a slow fire, until the onion becomes soft and transparent.
Add the rice, mix well and let it cook for 1 or 2 minutes, until it becomes translucent.
Now pour in the white wine and let the alcohol burn off by cooking on a high flame.
Then add enough hot water to cover the rice and turn the fire to medium-low.
Keep cooking, occasionally stirring the rice and adding hot water little by little, until the rice is cooked. It is going to take approximately 18 to 20 minutes depending on the rice you are using.
While the rice is cooking, puree 2/3 of the strawberries and chop the remaining 1/3.
Half way through the cooking time, add the pureed strawberries and mix well. Then continue cooking normally.
A couple of minutes before the rice is cooked add the chopped strawberries and mix well.
When the rice is ready, put the fire off and add the remaining butter and Parmigiano Reggiano to it.
Mix very well, until the rice becomes creamy. Make sure that your risotto is moist (or, as we say, all’onda – which literally means wavy) and not sticky. You can do that by adding 1 or 2 extra tbsp of hot water if needed. Check for salt and season to your liking.
Garnish with a strawberry.
NOTE: Whenever you cook risotto, do not wash the rice before cooking. The starch is needed for the risotto to become creamy.
Strawberry risotto sounds wonderful! I love the color, its so pretty!
The beauty about risotto is that it is like a blank canvas and we can really cook it with our favourite ingredients and strawberries is really an unexpected but interesting twist! Looks beautiful too!
It’s amazing how far behind one can get in keeping up with all their favorite places when they are gone for a few days! I’m so glad I looked far enough done the page for this one – what a gorgeous risotto! Is this a traditional Italian risotto or a Manuela original? Strawberries in a risotto sounds way out there which means I’m definitely going to try it! 🙂
Hi Manu. Hope you don’t mind but I used this as one of my weekly picks.
My friends had strawberry risotto on their honeymoon in Italy and raved about it. I can’t wait to try your recipe!
I’ve never heard of this, but it certainly is pretty! This would be nice for a valentines dinner.
Gorgeous! I’ve never thought to make a risotto with fruit- love it!
Wow, that looks amazing! It looks so appetizing and enticing.
Onions and strawberries, what an interesting combination. I will have to try this one for sure!
Hi manu, Risotto looks yummm…..Simple foods are the best dinners. It ends up being nutritious and so delicious!
Wonderful!!!!!
Who can resist this?
I have never had this risotto, but I am drooling as I love risotto….
Great recipe Manu…
YUM – Can I have some? It looks amazing, and I’m craving it right now. I’ll have to give it a try soon!
My 2nd visit to your blog & really delighted to be greeted by such a unique dish! Would certainly love to try Strawberry Risotto 🙂
Shirley’s Luxury Haven
I had never thought of strawberries as a savoury dish! Love the colour, what a wonderful recipe.
What a gorgeous risotto, Manu…excellent idea for breast cancer awareness month 🙂
wow.. that sorta looks like le rice… but a bit savoury due to shallots… love the pastel red!!
Oh my. This is amazing. It reminds me of a dish my brother used to make. I love how food can just take you back in time. This really is exceptional Manu. Great recipe.
Hi Manu, The first thing I thought of when I saw this pink recipe is my friend with two little girls! I’m sure they would go wild over pink risotto. I sent my friend a link to your site. I never would have paired strawberries and risotto together, but why not. It’s so pretty!
Absolutely beautiful! I was expecting it to be a dessert when I read the title!
That’s an absolutely gorgeous dish! You’re so creative, Manu. I’m glad I could inspire you to create this dish :).
What can I say….:) looks and sounds so delicious and beautiful! Great color, photos and I can imagine amazing flavor!!!
MENINA! Oh my gosh Manu! A) this is my favorite color! B) Risotto is one of my favorite dishes in the fall and C) You made it with STRAWBERRIES! You are TRULY one of the most talented cooks in the blogosphere! This has BLOWN my mind! YUM-FEST!
Manu e’ da una vita che non faccio questo risotto che tra l’altro adoro. I’ho sempre fatto con vino rosso, ma adesso lo voglio provare con la tua ricetta.
Come sempre … complimenti!
Non ho mai assaggiato il risotto con le fragole,sarei curiosa di sapere il sapore che ha…peccato che via web non si possa (ancora) fare! 😉
What a lovely idea & I have to say that I am absolutely intrigued! I’m adding this to my “must try” list. Thank you for posting 🙂
I never had strawberries risotto… but I think I’m gonna try it, eventually (next spring, maybe :P)!
Great way to raise the awareness!