Strawberry risotto

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2cupsMilk
2cupsCoconut milk
½cupSugar
1Vanilla bean, halved
Lengthwise
2Strips lemon peel
2tablespoonsButter
cupArborio rice
½cupHeavy cream or creme
Fraiche
1cupSliced strawberries
Lightly-toasted sweetened
Flaked coconut, for garnish
Lightly-toasted sliced
Almonds, for garnish

Directions

In a saucepan combine milks, sugar, vanilla bean and lemon zest and heat until very hot and bubbles appear around edges of pan. Reduce heat and keep warm.

Meanwhile, in another saucepan melt butter. When foaming subsides, add Arborio rice and stir to coat with butter. Add simmering milk, ½ cup at a time, stirring vigorously. Let each addition be absorbed before adding more. Regulate heat so milk is absorbed at a brisk simmer. It should take from 30 to 35 minutes to add the liquid. Begin tasting toward the end of the cooking time -- the rice should be tender but still firm to the bite. It will form its own sauce.

Stir in cream along with last addition of milk mixture and cook until partly absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in strawberries, saving a few perfect slices for garnishing. Serve in shallow bowls, sprinkled with coconut and almonds.

Yield: 4 servings

TASTE SHOW #TS4709