ONE DISH MEAL

Chef Arnez Driver

Head Chef

La Poz Place

Saffron & Smoked Cheese Risotto

A Velvety Smoked Indulgence

Ingredients

• 20 ml olive oil

• 1 tbsp celery

• 1 tbsp leek

• 1 tbsp onion

• 1 tsp garlic

• 1 cup raw Arborio rice

• 40 ml white wine

• 5 cups (extra to adjust consistency) vegetable stock

• 1 g saffron

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 tsp thyme

• 60 g natural smoked cheese

• 20 g Parmesan

• salt as per taste

• a pinch of black pepper

Garnish

• handful arugula lettuce

• 5-10 pcs cherry tomato

• 1 tsp smoked cheese

Method

Take the celery, leek and onion, cut finely and place aside. Save the trimming from these vegetables.

Add water to a saucepan and place on high heat. Add the vegetable trimmings from above and allow to simmer. This will create a vegetable stock.

Note: addition of thyme, whole black pepper and bay leaf will make the stock more flavourful.

Take a large pan, and place it on medium heat. Add olive oil, the finely cut celery, leek, onion and garlic. Sauté for a couple of minutes until the vegetables become translucent.

Add the Arborio rice and continue mixing. Let the rice toast over high heat.

Once the rice starts sticking to the base of the pan, deglaze using white wine.

Reduce the heat and add the thyme as well as vegetable stock and continue cooking.

Add the vegetable stock slowly and over a period of time ensuring the rice is not submerged in water.

Note: the Arborio rice should not be completely soft on serving, it should have a bite to it, al dente.

Once the rice is close to completion, mix in the saffron, smoked cheese, a few arugula leaves, unsalted butter and Parmesan cheese.

On adding the above-mentioned ingredients the risotto will begin to thicken rapidly, add more vegetable stock to ensure the consistency is smooth and not too dense.

Season with salt and black pepper as well as a dash of unsalted butter. Give it one final mix and serve.

Place in the serving dish and garnish with arugula, cherry tomatoes and smoked cheese. Serve piping hot.

Enjoy a decadent, velvety, smoky, and highly comforting bowl of risotto.