Parmesan Risotto With Peas And Scallops
I don’t know about you , but I think I’ve been watching too many food competition shows. While making this dish using the peas from Green Lever Farm at the Kingstowne Farmers Market, I kept hearing Gordon Ramsey’s voice in my head, say “risahhhhhhhhtoe”.
“Ramona, is the risahto ready?” “C’mon now, you DONKEY!”
“Yes, Chef!”
Talk about your kitchen nightmares.
But, it wasn’t over yet. Next, I saw Tom Collichio’s dissappointed face because I was using frozen scallops *gasp*. You know, those mollusks from hell that Spike picked out of Rick Tramanto’s beautifully stocked walk-in? That transgression that Spike defiantly defended which led to the dreaded phrase-please pack your knives and go.
I had flop sweat and hadn’t even heated a pan yet.
I wonder if there is a 12-step program for food competition show addiction. I’ll look into it and let y’all know. Meanwhile, here’s a method for a delightful risotto that you can top with scallops, or shrimp, or anything you’d like. Use it as a main, or a side dish.
Parmesan Risotto with Peas and Scallops
serves 3-4
In a sauce pot, bring 5 cups chicken stock to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer.
In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medum heat. Add 1 small onion, diced, and saute for 4-5 minutes until transluscent. Add 1 1/2 cups arborio rice and saute for 1 minute. Increase heat to medium high and add 1 cup dry white wine and cook for 3-4 minutes, until alcohol cooks off and wine is reduced by 1/2. Reduce heat back down to medium. Add 1 cup of chicken stock and to the rice and simmer until most of the stock is absorbed. Repeat adding stock and cooking until the risotto is al dente, or still has a little bite to it. You may not need all 5 cups of chicken stock.
About halfway through cooking the rice, add 1 cup fresh peas.
Add 1 cup of good quality grated Parmesan cheese. Stir to incorporate. Add salt and pepper to taste.
While the rice is cooking, heat a pan (I recommend that you do not use non-stick) over high heat. Add 2-3 tablespoons olive oil. When the oil just begins to smoke, add 12 large scallops which have been thoroughly dried, salt and peppered.
Allow scallops to caramelize and do not attempt to turn them over until they release themselves from the pan. Salt and pepper the top sides and flip. Cook on the other side until they caramelize and release.
Serve scallops over risotto immediately.
