Roasted Cauliflower, Sage, and Almond Risotto - IHCC

Do you ever fold the corner down on a page when you just have to remember where you left off ? I try really hard not to, but I'll admit that sometimes I will dog-ear a page ...



And speaking of dogs, my dogs are exhausted and I am ready for SB to come home and rescue me from all the wood hauling and fire-tending and Frisbee throwing and dish washing and poking about at household projects! He has been away for the past week on his annual hunting jaunt with his brothers and friends ... which has left me to hold down the fort.

I have spent my time getting my jobs done for the annual little church holiday fair ...baking, crafting, doing publicity flyers and news articles, putting together a raffle basket around the theme of  ' getting the guest room ready'. All this plus all of the above ... tonight, the fair is a fait accompli, the fires are roaring, the wood box is full, there is snow swirling now and then, and I am in need of the simplest dish of warmth I can find.

A bowl of risotto will be perfect. I have a glass of Cabernet going. Standing over the warm stove, stirring risotto is relaxing. I am glad I dog-eared Donna Hay's recipe for roasted cauliflower and risotto a few weeks back. It has saved my skin tonight ...

Seriously, this is about all the energy I have left tonight ... just enough to whack up part of a head of cauliflower, rip and mince some sage leaves, chop a bit of onion and stand like a zombie in front of the bubbling pan of rice while the cauliflower roasts in the oven. I even let the hot roasting pan roast the almonds ... passive preparation.

That being said, the dish came together so well and so easily. This is JUST what I needed this evening .

I plan to sleep in tomorrow and with this warm bowl of goodness, I know I'll rest easy. Cheers, all!

Roasted Cauliflower, Sage, and Almond Risotto

adapted from a Donna Hay recipe

Ingredients:

1 small head cauliflower (500 g)

2 tbsp. olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper for sprinkling

¼ c. slivered almonds, toasted

1 bunch sage , leaves picked and sliced to thin ribbons

3 tbsp. butter

1 small onion, small dice

1 ½ c. Arborio rice

½ c. dry Sherry

4-5 cups strong chicken stock, plus some water if necessary

½ c. finely grated Asiago cheese

Slivers of strong Parmesan –Reggiano cheese for garnish (optional)

Making the Dish:

1. Chop the cauliflower into small florets and toss with the olive oil and some Kosher salt and black pepper. Place on a large roasting pan … give the pieces room to roast.
2. Place in the oven and set the temperature for 425 °F. Roast for ten to 15 minutes or until the pieces are browned and tender-crisp. Remove the pan and toss the slivered almonds onto the hot pan. Set aside and let the nuts toast.
3. Meanwhile, heat a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat.
4. Add the butter and onions and cook until the onions glisten – about 3 minutes.
5. Add the rice and stir around to coat the rice granules with the butter and onion juices.
6. Add the Sherry and let the pan sizzle with the rice, stirring to get all the rice covered with the Sherry.
7. Add some of the broth, lower the heat to achieve a gentle bubbling simmer and stir frequently. When almost all the first batch of chicken stock has been absorbed, add the sage leaves and some more chicken stock. Continue stirring off and on until you can add the rest of the stock.
8. When almost all the stock has been absorbed, taste the rice. It should have a bit of a ‘bite’. If it is still too firm, add a bit of water and continue to cook gently.
9. Add the Asiago cheese and stir to melt and form a creamy sauce.
10. Turn the risotto onto shallow bowls, top with the cauliflower and almonds and addition sage leaves.

Optional: Top with shavings of a strong cheese like Parmesan Reggiano or Tallegio.

 This simple supper is being shared with IHCC's Potluck entries for November's Potluck. While I could post a recipe from any of the previous IHCC chefs, I have been so happy with Donna Hay's recipes, that I'll continue with her work this month. Head over and see what others have chosen to share, though! 

I Heart Cooking Club November Potluck