Thursday, December 9, 2010

Risotto with Peas, Zucchini and Saffron

I finally started to take pictures with my new camera, and this is one of the first photos of food...although, my granddaughter already is way ahead of me, while I'm still reading the instruction manual, she not only took photos of the Christmas tree, and decorations, but also made a video, of the tour of their house...LOL.
Here's a fabulous shrimp dish, made by my daughter...cannot take credit for it, but I will post the basic risotto recipe, and the finishing of the shrimp, and veggies.

Basic Risotto

1 cup white arborio rice
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
5 cups hot stock (or water)
1/2 cup white wine (optional)

 Heat olive oil in a heavy non-stick 2-quart pot. Saute onion in oil until translucent. Add rice and stir rice until grains are coated with oil Add wine and stir constantly on medium heat until wine is absorbed. Add 1 cup hot stock or water, stirring until liquid is absorbed. Continue cooking for about 20 minutes, adding the remaining liquid 1 cup at a time. This rice creates its own creamy sauce; add additional liquid if creamier texture is desired. Remove from heat, stir in cheeses and serve immediately. 
For the shrimp:
Just cook 1 lb.of shrimp-which is peeled, and deveined, tails removed, in small amount of broth, or water, and fold in at the very end, when risotto is done.
For the vegetables:
Sauteed, thin sliced zucchini, and frozen peas, added at the end of cooking the risotto, along with a few strands of saffron.
Very tasty, and yummy!
Today, I was watching my precious little grandson, and could not decide what to make for lunch...well, "lo and behold" mommy always has fresh chicken broth on hand, and marinara sauce, not to mention leftover rice, steamed spinach, and steamed broccoli, which was a side dish the night before. Such a beautiful solution, to Minestrone soup, on a cold, and damp S. Florida day. Always have staples, like canned beans of any kind. In this case, we had the perfect Great Northern beans, which was the best choice, for the soup.

Minestrone Soup
32 oz. of chicken broth, homemade, or canned, or in a 32 oz. carton
16 oz. of Marinara sauce, homemade, or from a jar
2- 15oz. can of Great Northern beans, or (any kind of your choice)
1 15 oz can of dice tomatoes
you can add, leftover broccoli, steamed chopped spinach, or any
other cooked vegetables, ie. carrots, celery, additional beans,
( I added leftover rice, you can add dittalini (tube) pasta, even leftover meatballs
or chopped leftover chicken is good.
All you have to do is add all the ingredients of your choice, together and simmer to
an almost boil, and serve. Really delish! Serves 6.

I kid you not...my grandson had two bowls of this yummy and comforting soup...and after that, had a nice sampling of the Tate's cookies. so crisp, and yummy!
All set for Christmas...all the stocking hanging, and waiting for Santa. Decorated by my 9 year old granddaughter, the mini "Martha Stewart"...and photos done by her, with my new camera...yeahh!...I finally was able to upload them. Now, I'm on my way to take fabulous new photos, and say goodbye to my old camera, of only less than 3 years...sigh...I still like the old 35mm. with the film. I still have my Canon, 1985 model, with all the extra lenses, but it's obsolete for today's use. I even have another one, which is a Nikon, same year. I have close to $1,000.invested in each of the 2 with several lenses, and fancy case, (now, just a memory)

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20 comments:

Brenda said...

Elisabeth, how exciting having a new camera! I only have a point and shoot type camera and it's a few years old now. I can imagine the fun you'll have with your new one. I'm jealous! :o) Your risotto and your soup look scrumptious!!! Your camera is doing a good job, and I love the pic of your grandson and the stockings. Have a great weekend my friend!

ping said...

That's one good investment you've made. Great pics! I'm still waiting for a camera with a "make it look scrumptious" button. :D

Priya said...

Yumm! risottos looks rich, creamy and absolutely wonderful, makes me hungry..I dont bother to grab that whole soup and finish them immediately, very tempting..

Jennifer-The Adventuresome Kitchen said...

Am loving that gorgeous photo of the shrimp risotto! That looks so delicious! We make risotto a lot, so we'll have to try that combination of flavors! Love your christmas photos!

Priya Sreeram said...

yummy, rich, flavourful !!

Carolyn said...

That risotto looks to die for! Have fun with the new camera. The shots of the risotto and the soup both look great.

Swathi said...

Risotto with peas zucchini and safforn looks delicious. cute grandson.

Patty said...

Both the soup and the risotto are making me hungry...they look delicious...nice work with the new camera. Your precious little grandson is beautiful...what a good grandma you are...

BakingWithoutaBox said...

Yay for the new camera! Great color in those photos. Your grandson is so cute. And love those decorations. Oh yeah, food looks good too. Lol.

Sean Grey Hanson said...

It looks incredibly delicious - this is exactly the kind of food i love - fresh, and full of flavour.
Food Channel

Pacheco Patty said...

Congratulations on your new camera! Beautiful photos and thanks for that quick and easy soup recipe it looks delicious. I like the way you add the leftover rice, pasta what ever you have, just so practical. I know my grandsons would love it:)

Monet said...

Yes! Congratulations on your new camera. Your photographs look beautiful (as always) and your grandson is precious! I love his hair! Your risotto and that soup were making me one hungry lady. Thank you so much for sharing with me today. I hope you have a joyful weekend!

Gina said...

You will have fun with your new camera! I hate how fast technology becomes outdated! I love risotto, especially with shrimp. That is so cute your grand daughter decorated the stockings. Great memories! Have a great weekend!
-Gina-

Angie's Recipes said...

I love risotto! With peas and saffron sounds mouthwatering! Your grandson was having fun with minestrone. :-))

Kim Kelly said...

Mmm!!! I love Risotto! Haven't made it in a while, but you have inspired me! Love the pic of your grandson.

Laura Keller said...

Mmm that minestrone looks delicious and sounds so simple to make! Thanks for sharing these recipes and Happy Holidays!

Emma said...

That prawn risotto looks delicious! I would love a bowl of that for dinner.

Yay for new camera! Mine is fairly new and I love it, I take photos of just about everything. Your little man is so cute also ♥

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

I got my camera, a point and shoot , less than a year ago, had a cell phone came before that , and remember how excited i was and still am!
Cannon is the best brand i say!!
Must say again , ur grandchildren are so adorable and loving all the pics , yeah it already feels like Christmas and i m loving it!
Risotto , Oh so good, the combi with peas and saffron is fantastic and aint suprised ur cute grandso had 2 bowls!

GreenGirl said...

the risotto looks so gooooooood, yummy. I love everything risotto. the soup sounds delicious. Love the photo with the stockings.
Hope you'll have a great Monday

Kay Heritage said...

What great fun to have a new camera! Risotto looks fabulous,Elisabeth!