The Literate Chef

Posts Tagged ‘Arborio Rice’

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Pan-Seared U-10 Scallops with Andouille Sausage, Spinach & Risotto

In Pork, Recipes, Scallops, Seafood on January 21, 2015 at 2:48 PM

Sautéed U-10 Scallops with Andouille Sausage

Pan-Seared U-10 Scallops with Andouille Sausage

(Cooking time – 45 minutes, serves 5 or 6)

Friends came to visit a few days ago and informed us that one of them is allergic to garlic. This presented The Literate Chef with a challenge, as garlic is a staple in our house. Rising to the occasion, and knowing that seafood and pork marry well, we decided to prepare a one-dish meal of Pan-Seared U-10 Sea Scallops, fried Andouille Sausage, spinach and a simple risotto. For extra flavor, we used smoked paprika, and white wine. The result far exceeded our expectations, everyone enjoyed the meal, and an allergic reaction was avoided.

Ingredients:

20 large (U-10) Scallops, about 2.5 lbs.
4 links of Andouille Sausage (about 1 lb.), sliced 1/4 inch thick
6 tbsp. Unsalted Butter
1 lb. Baby Spinach
1 cup Arborio Rice
1/2 large Yellow Onion, chopped
Smoked Paprika
1 qt. Seafood Stock
Dry White Wine, about 2 cups

Procedure:

Pre-heat oven to 175 degrees.

For the Risotto:

1. In a 2 qt. pot, bring the Seafood Stock to a boil.
2. In a 3 qt. pot, melt ½ the butter, add the chopped onion and cook until translucent.
3. Add the rice and stir well.
4. Add 1 cup of hot Seafood Stock to the rice and cook until the liquid is fully absorbed. Add some wine (1/4 cup or so) and when that is absorbed, repeat the process, alternately adding stock and wine (be sure to retain ½ cup of the stock for the gravy) until the risotto is done, about 30 minutes. Keep warm on the stove.

For the Rest of the Dish:

5. Add ½ cup of wine to the ½ cup of retained stock and keep warm on the stove.
6. In the meantime steam the spinach. When done remove to oven to keep warm.
7. In a non-stick sauté pan, brown the sliced Andouille sausage on both sides. When done remove to the oven.
8. Pat dry the scallops with paper toweling and liberally sprinkle one side with the smoked paprika.
9. Heat the remaining butter in the sauté pan, add the scallops, paprika side down, and sprinkle their tops with additional paprika. Pan-sear the scallops 5 minutes (if using smaller scallops, adjust time accordingly) turn the scallops and continue cooking for another 4 minutes.
10. While the scallops are cooking, assemble the other ingredients, preferably in bowls.
11. Divide the risotto evenly in each bowl, follow with the spinach, placing it atop the risotto, and then add the sausage slices around the sides of the bowls.
12. Pour the cup of stock/wine over the scallops and bring to boil for 30 seconds or so.
13. Remove the scallops from the pan and place them atop the spinach.
14. Spoon the sauce equally over each serving.

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Paella Isabella

In Recipes, Rice, Seafood on January 29, 2012 at 2:28 PM

Paella Isabella

Paella Isabella

The secret to great paella is to be vigilant during the cooking process, constantly turning the mixture as ingredients are added, while simmering on low heat. The rice should be moist, sticky and tender when finished, so taste it periodically during the cooking. Make no mistake about it, paella is not a ‘fast food’, but the attention it requires is repaid by a delicious and most enjoyable meal.

Special equipment: a carbon steel 12 to 14 inch paella pan, a wooden spoon for stirring and large spatula for turning.

Total preparation and cooking time: 1 ½ to 2 hours. Serves 4 to 6 people.

Ingredients:
•    2 tbsps. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
•    4 Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Thighs, halved
•    4 tbsps. Unsalted Butter
•    1 Large Yellow Onion, chopped
•    1 qt.  Unsalted Chicken Stock
•    1 tsp. Saffron
•    1 Cup of Arborio Rice
•    3 Chorizos, sliced ¼ inch thick
•    ½ lb. Frozen Peas
•    ½ lb. Mussels, de-bearded and rinsed
•    2 dozen small Littleneck Clams, scrubbed and rinsed
•    2 Lobster Tails, removed from shell and quartered
•    ½ cup dry white wine
•    1 lb. Large Shrimp, cleaned and deveined
•    2 large Roasted Red Peppers, thinly sliced
•    1 small jar Marinated Artichoke Hearts, drained

Preparation:
1.    Heat the olive oil on medium and brown the chicken.
2.    Remove and set aside the chicken, add and melt the butter.
3.    Add onions, sauté until translucent.
4.    Add 3 cups of chicken stock and bring to a low boil.
5.    Add saffron and stir well, then add the rice.
6.    Cook over low-medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
7.    Add back the browned chicken, then the chorizos.
8.    Add the peas and remaining cup of chicken stock, reduce heat to low.
9.    For the next 30 minutes add and stir constantly the following ingredients: mussels, clams and lobster meat.
10.    When clams begin to open, add the wine and cook 5 minutes.
11.    Add the shrimp, peppers and artichoke hearts, stir until shrimp turn pink approximately 15 minutes.

Serve with Rioja wine such as: Marques De Caceres Rioja Crianza Red

Please see: Cooking in Naples…Florida, that is!

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Breaking Out of the Food-Induced Coma

In General Articles on January 12, 2012 at 6:06 PM

We were a week into the New Year and attempting to break out of the holiday season food-induced coma of the prior six week period.  That coupled with the need for me to fit into my tux and my wife into her gown for a black tie event a few weeks down the road, led us back to seafood meals.

Our immediate thought the other night was for some shrimp, perhaps sautéed in butter, garlic and white wine and maybe a side of rice to absorb the sauce. But upon visiting the fish market, freshly harvested Bay Scallops were prominently displayed and attracted our attention.  Then it hit me; combine the shrimp and scallops with the rice and, presto, Seafood Risotto! All that was needed were some mussels to round out the seafood medley and we would have a true Frutti di Mare. Alas, there were no mussels to be had.

My wife who has an eye for these things, suggested that we go ahead with the risotto idea, and to add some color and flavor use up the leftover arugula and scallions, which had gone into the previous evening’s salad. A brilliant idea, I thought.

Making a risotto is fairly easy, but does involve active participation for perhaps an hour or so. However, the result is well worth the effort, so don’t be deterred by the time factor. Arborio Rice, which is a short-grained rice, is considered to be the best for making a risotto. It has a high starch content which produces an exquisite creaminess, as well as the ability to absorb plenty of moisture without losing its bite, its al dente quality.

Yesterday as my thoughts remained in the seafood mode, I visited the fish market again and purchased some flounder fillets along with a 1 pound can of crabmeat. These ingredients were melded into Baked Stuffed Flounder Fillets. Both of these meals were a welcome and delicious respite from our hearty holiday fare.

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Seafood Risotto

In Recipes, Rice, Seafood on January 12, 2012 at 6:00 PM

Seafood Risotto

(Serves four. Active Preparation time 50 to 60 minutes)

Ingredients:

8 cups of  Unsalted Chicken Stock
1 pinch of Saffron threads, about 1/8 tsp.
3 tbsps. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tbsps. plus 2 tbsps. Unsalted Butter
1/3 cup Scallions, sliced; about 4 Scallions both green and white parts
2 cups of Arborio Rice
1 cup plus ½ cup of dry white wine
¼ lb. of Arugula
½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
½ lb. bay scallops
½ lb. large shrimp (8 or 9), shelled, deveined and cut in half
½ tsp. Hot Hungarian Paprika

Preparation:

1.    Heat the chicken stock in a small pot.
2.    Remove one cup of stock and add the saffron and set aside.
3.    In a separate, 3 qt. pot, heat the olive oil on medium, add 3 tbsps. butter to melt, stir well.
4.    Lower the heat; add the scallions and sauté for 2 minutes.
5.    Add the rice, raise heat to medium, and stir well for about 4 minutes to coat each grain of rice.
6.    Add the white wine, continuing to stir until the wine is absorbed.
7.    Add the set-aside cup of stock with saffron and keep stirring until all of the liquid is absorbed.
8.    Add a second cup of stock from the heated pot and add a handful of arugula, stirring well until the arugula becomes limp and the stock is all absorbed, about 3-5 minutes.
9.    Continue this process until all of the arugula and 7 cups of stock are used, leaving one cup still heated in the small pot, which will be added at the end.
10.    In the meantime, heat the remaining 2 tbsps. of butter in a sauté pan, add the scallops and shrimps and sauté on high heat for three minutes.
11.    Pour the remaining ½ cup of white wine over the shrimp and scallops and continue to sauté until most of the wine is absorbed. Sprinkle with the paprika and add to the rice after step 9.
12.    Add the Parmigiano-Reggiano, as well as the one remaining cup of stock, mix well and serve immediately.

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Risotto Milanese

In Recipes, Rice on January 4, 2012 at 4:24 PM

Risotto Milanese

Serves 4. Active preparation time 30-45 minutes.

Ingredients:

1 qt. unsalted chicken stock
2 tbsps. unsalted butter
2 tbsps. extra virgin olive oil
1 cup Arborio Rice
3 pinches saffron threads
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation:

1.    Bring chicken broth to a boil in a 2 qt. pot. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.
2.    Remove 1 cup of stock and add the saffron threads.
3.    In a 3 qt. pot, melt the butter over medium heat, add the oil
4.    Add the rice and cook for several minutes, stirring to coat each grain.
5.    Add the cup of the warm chicken stock with saffron and cook, stirring, until the rice has absorbed the liquid.
6.    Add the remaining stock, 1 cup at a time. Continue to stir, allowing the rice to absorb each cup of stock before adding the next.
7.    Test the rice for doneness, it should be al dente but creamy smooth.
8.    Remove risotto from heat, add grated cheese and black pepper. Serve at once with Osso Buco Milanese.

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