Saffron and butternut squash risotto

Serves 24 as a party offering or 2-3 as a main course Starters and mains

Saffron and butternut squash risotto

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Ingredients

  • 900ml vegetable stock
  • pinch saffron
  • 3-4tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 shallots, finely chopped
  • 100g butter
  • 350g risotto rice
  • 125ml dry white wine
  • 200g butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1cm cubes
  • 2tsp rosemary leaves, chopped
  • 1tbsp thyme leaves

For the parmesan wafers

  • 130g parmesan, coarsely grated

To serve

  • 1tbsp parsley, finely chopped

Method

Heat the stock and saffron in a saucepan and keep hot.

In a frying pan, heat the olive oil and add the shallots. Cook over a gentle heat for about 10 minutes until softened but not coloured.

Add 20g of the butter and the rice. Stir gently for a few minutes until the rice is glistening. Pour in the wine and continue to cook until it has evaporated.

Add the butternut squash, a ladle of stock, the herbs and cook until the liquid is absorbed.

Continue to add the stock a ladle at a time, stirring gently until each ladle is absorbed, all the stock is used and the butternut squash is softened.

Drop in the remaining butter and 100g of grated parmesan.

Line an oven tray with foil, place the remaining cheese in little piles and grill until melted and golden. Shape into small wafers and place on top of the risotto. Scatter with the parsley and serve.

Food styling: Linda Tubby. Photography and prop styling: Angela Dukes.
Saffron and butternut squash risotto
Food styling: Linda Tubby. Photography and prop styling: Angela Dukes.

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