Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Lemon & Ginger Risotto


For us, weekday lunches are mostly quick meals made at home, and then boxed to take along to work. There are several reasons for this. First, I love to cook. Second, I am a big home-made food fan. Third, I like to know exactly what goes into everything that I eat and last but not the least, I need to write this food blog and come up with new recipes to keep up with you guys!

While home-made lunch boxes are great, nothing compares to a lunch of piping hot cup of soup right off the stove, or a freshly assembled salad or even a great bake to just dig in. And when you have the luxury of making these on a Friday afternoon, as I have had for the past few weeks, the experience matches only to that of eating a fabulous dessert before a meal. And that is the real spice which takes it to the next level!

My past Friday afternoon was exactly like this, and I made a delicious risotto to compliment the rains and the chill outside. Lemon and ginger added the perfect flavor combination for the muggy afternoon. A home-made chocolate cake followed, and then a tight afternoon nap on the couch made the Friday perfect! I wish all Fridays were like this!

Soak yourself into the flavors....

Ingredients:

Serves 2
1/2 lemon, juice
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tbs freshly grated ginger
1 bunch scallions, cut in rings
3/4 cup short grained rice (Do not wash the rice)
3-4 cups of vegetable stock or whey (You may need more depending on the rice that you use)
2 tbs butter
Salt & pepper

Method:

In a sauce pan, melt the butter and then add the white part of the scallions, lemon zest and ginger. Saute for about 30 seconds.

Now add the rice. Mix well until well coated. Then add 11/2 cups of stock or whey. Mix well and let it cook on a slow simmer. Continue adding the rest of the stock in 1/2 cups until the rice is cooked but still has a bite. Add salt & pepper. Mix the green parts of the scallion and lemon juice a few minutes before serving, leaving some for garnish.

Serving:

Serve hot in warm bowls. Garnish with the remaining green parts of the scallions. You can also top with any sharp cheese of choice but do not let the cheese over power the flavor of the lemon and ginger.

27 comments:

Maria said...

Lemon and ginger...sound like a great pair for risotto!!

Laura Paterson said...

oh wow - I can just imagine how comforting this must be on a blustery day!

I wish I could cook lunches at home more :)

Bharti said...

I have a sore throat right now and am sipping lemon and ginger tea! The combination in a risotto sounds excellent. And I agree on all points- home made stuff, chocolate cake, naps in the afternoon..!

Adam said...

Ha I liked all the reasons you gave for home made meals... I couldn't agree more.

Lemon and ginger sound awesome together, especially in the rainy weather. However, you forgot something...

Where's the CAKE? :)

J said...

Ginger and lemon are made for each other. Just perfect flavours to complement the rains!

Rosie said...

A perfect combo lemon and ginger and your risotto looks fantastic!

Rosie x

Poonam said...

Hi Folks, yes, indeed this flavor combination tasted fabulous and is a tantalizing combination on any muggy day!

Adam--you will get the cake sometime soon!!

Dee said...

That sounds like the prefect rainy afternoon. It's been raining constantly here, but I've had to slosh out and meet clients every day this week. Your lemon & ginger risotto make me want to call in sick today.

Sunshinemom said...

This looks simple and also the perfect way to perk up a dreary rainy afternoon! I like the ginger in it too:) I too prefer boxed lunch to work but sometimes have canteen food just for a change!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

I usually use those flavours in desserts, I love them together. I'm sure they'll be great in a risotto!

Dewi said...

I am just like you, love home made food. Lemon risotto sound very good indeed, but the weather here is still too hot to enjoy this yummy risotto. Definitely will make this as the weather cool off in fall.

Lori Lynn said...

Lemon and ginger YAY! What a refreshing way to perk up risotto! Sounds like a terrific lunch.

Cynthia said...

An Asian twist to an Italian favourite - nice!

Prudy said...

This looks so comforting, I'd love to have some for dinner tonight. Way better than some cold lunch.

Chef Jeena said...

Lovely recipe lemon and ginger compliment each other so well.

Swati said...

Hi Poonam

The risotto looks great.. what a lovely meal.. great flavors!!

Katie Zeller said...

How simple...and gorgeous!
And what a wonderful Friday afternoon. I'm so jealous!

Pooh said...

Bookmarked! :)

Shreya said...

hi Poonam, been long I havent visited your space. Lemon and ginger rice looks stunning. reminds of lemon rice and 'kanji'/ gruel, but this recipe is truly different, and i love the fact that it uses grained rice:-)

Beachlover said...

look good,thou! like congee in ginger!

Meg Wolff said...

Poonam,
Wonderful that you are a homemade food fan.Your risotto looks and sounds heavenly (the lemon & ginger!). I don't eat dairy but could easily substitute olive oil for butter. Thanks for a great post.

Anonymous said...

Keep posting some more tasty recipes!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sunita,
This would warm my heart as well as my taste buds. Looks fantastic! I'm am eat at home fan too.

Unknown said...

My friend and I made it tonite, because we are getting over colds...ginger and lemon did the trick! She also added chili paste to give it a kick!!!

Great recipe, Pooja! :)

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Anonymous said...

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Sari @ Cook Your Dream said...

Oh, what a nice blog you have! :) I like this recipe. Risotto is one of my favourite dishes but I've never tried it with lemon and ginger! I will definitely give it a try. Thanks for the tip! :)