Cavolo nero and anchovy risotto

Serves 3 Starters and mains

Great extenders Cavolo nero and anchovy risotto

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Ingredients

  • bunch cavolo nero, leaves stripped from the stems
  • 5tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve
  • 6 good-quality anchovy fillets
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 brown onion, diced
  • 2tsp chopped rosemary
  • 1 litre good-quality beef stock
  • 220g Carnaroli or Arborio rice
  • 25g Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
  • 40g stracciatella cheese
  • thin lemon zest strips, to garnish

Method


Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the cavolo nero leaves and blanch for 2–3 minutes until tender. Remove the greens from the water, reserving the blanching water. In a blender or using a stick blender, blend the greens with a ladleful of the reserved water, 2tbsp of the olive oil, the anchovies and garlic until you have a completely smooth purée, then set aside.

Heat a pan over a medium heat and add the remaining 3tbsp olive oil, the onion and a pinch of salt and sweat for 10-15 minutes until soft and sweet. Add the rosemary and sizzle for 30 seconds. Heat the beef stock in a separate pan until it’s simmering.

Add the rice to the softened onions and toss to coat, then increase the heat to medium- high. Begin adding the hot beef stock, one to two ladlefuls at a time, while continuously stirring, until the rice is very nearly al dente. If you need more liquid, add in the reserved cavolo nero blanching water, one ladleful at a time.

When the rice is almost ready, stir in the cavolo nero purée and continue cooking until the right consistency is reached – it should be loose, but not gloopy or soupy.

Stir in the grated cheese, taste and season if necessary.

Divide among 3 bowls and top each with a spoonful of stracciatella. Add a drizzle of olive oil, garnish with the lemon zest and serve immediately.

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Recipes and photographs taken from Recipes for a Lifetime of Beautiful Cooking by Danielle Alvarez with Libby Travers. Photography by Alan Benson (Murdoch Books, £30)
Great extenders Cavolo nero and anchovy risotto
Recipes and photographs taken from Recipes for a Lifetime of Beautiful Cooking by Danielle Alvarez with Libby Travers. Photography by Alan Benson (Murdoch Books, £30)

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