Risotto is an Italian rice dish. This version is spectacular because it is made with sparkling wine and asparagus. It´s also quick and easy to make.

Risotto is made by briefly sautéing the rice in olive oil, then adding a little bit of stock and wine, stirring almost constantly until the rice absorbs the liquid. You repeat by adding a bit more stock and wine, stirring, adding, stirring, adding until it’s done. When it’s done, the rice is cooked through and has absorbed the fantastic tastes of the stock, wine, and herbs.

This recipe strays from my usual admonition to use only fresh ingredients. This recipe calls for canned asparagus for a quick, but spectacular dish. You may wish to use frozen asparagus instead. No problem.

Ingredients

• 4 Tbs olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups arborio rice
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth or brodo di carne
• 1/2 tsp saffron
• 2 1/2 cups champagne
• 1 15 oz can green asparagus (keep the liquid)
• 1 Tbs parsley, minced
• black pepper, freshly ground
• salt
• 1 Tbs butter
• 2 Tbs Pecarino-Romano cheese, freshly grated

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onion and cook until the onion is translucent.
3. Add rice, stirring to coat each grain. Cook, stirring, for five minutes.
4. Add 1 cup stock. Cook rice, stirring, until stock is almost absorbed.
5. Add 1 cup champagne. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring frequently.
6. When almost absorbed, add the rest of the champagne.
7. After 1 minute add the safron and stir well.
8. After the champagne is absorbed, add the asparagus and liquid from the can. Cook rice, stirring, until the liquid is almost absorbed.
9. Add the stock in small amounts until rice is tender, about 30 to 40 minutes from when put in the first cup of stock.
10. Stir in minced parsley and freshly ground pepper (to taste).
11. Add the butter and cheese.
12. Stir well and then let the risotto rest for 3-5 minutes.
13. Taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Note: I like to make this dish when I have sparkling wine left over from a party. Put a cork in the bottle and use it for this great dish. Use only dry wine. To make this completely vegetarian risotto, replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock.

Bella Italian Food Recommends

Le Creuset 7-Piece Spatula Set with Crock
Reach every piece of rice with these spatulas! They are dishwasher-safe, with that heads slide off wooden handles. The set consists of large, small, and narrow scraping spatulas; large and small spoon spatulas.
Large, slotted-spoon spatula and stoneware storage crock also included. The silicon is great and virtually indestructible. The spatulas won't melt or discolor even at 800F.