Thursday, December 16, 2010

Date Night in the Kitchen

Since the Barrister and I started dating, we have done a whole lot of eating out! His busy travel season has commenced so I am going to try to make an effort to cook for us on Friday nights. He eats out every meal during the week so is very ready for a home cooked meal by Friday night!

We are sort of a tough couple to cook for, though... I have a gluten intolerance and the Barrister has a severe allergy to peanuts, so peanuts and all legumes are off limits for him. We still have plenty of options, though. He's not a picky eater, so that really helps.

Last Friday, I made Risotto for us. I had seen the recipe on Nola Girl's blog last April and have had it book marked since then! I really liked the recipe since it did not appear to be labor intensive. Making Risotto typically means you will be doing a whole lot of stirring. The risotto bakes in this recipe, so it's not at all labor intensive!

You start by cooking some onions in olive oil. Then you add the rice, spinach, broth, and salt (I omitted nutmeg because the Barrister didn't have it). The recipe calls for 8 cups of spinach - as I added it, I was like, "whoa, this is way too much spinach." The Barrister gently reminded me that it cooks WAY down. He was totally right.


After stirring in a 1/4 cup of fresh grated parmesan, we popped it into the oven at 400 to bake for 15 minutes. Next we added the asparagus! The spinach cooked down even more as it baked.

We covered it with another 1/4 cup of parmesan and baked for another 15 minutes.

15 minutes later - it was done! And it was delicious. We had some extra asparagus so we sauteed that in some olive oil. Mmm!

A delicious meal that got 2 thumbs up from both the Barrister and I! I really enjoy cooking with him. Eating out is fun, but it's fun to hang out in the kitchen together. He's really good about pitching in and helping in any way he can, which I really like!

Have you made Risotto before? If so, what kind have you made? Next time we make Risotto, I want to find a recipe that calls for shrimp as we both love seafood!

19 comments:

  1. I love, love, love risotto. I make it the labor intensive way so yes, a lot of stirring involved. I tend to make it more as a side to go with my chicken or something but man it's just so delicious. I would love to try this recipe, just sans asparagus as I'm not a huge fan. It looks super yummy thought!

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  2. I've never made it before, but that picture may inspire me! It looks delicious..and sounds like it wasn't too much work either, which is always a plus!

    Going out for dinner is always nice, but you're right - there is something really fun about cooking with someone.

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  3. I love risotto - yours looks great. I've only made it once and it was really good, despite me thinking it would be awful after watching all those failed risotto attempts on Hell's Kitchen.

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  4. never had risotto before.. i have contemplated making the one that kelly has posted about.. i love seafood as well. nom nom nom

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  5. I've never had risotto and this recipe looks delicious and easy - I might just try it for next week! Yum!

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  6. I've never had risotto, but I love spinach and this looks great! :)

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  7. This looks like a great, delicious recipe. I've only cooked risotto a few times and have been pleased with it. One with shrimp would be divine!

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  8. I can't wait to try this recipe! I might make it for my family when I'm at home!

    I'm a BIG fan of risotto - the kind I've made in the past is lemon-parmesan risotto. One time I didn't let it cook enough though so it was still kind of hard, but very good :)

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  9. Yum! I have never tried risotto in the oven before. That sounds great. I do have a basic risotto recipe I like that you can add shrimp, etc. to but have yet to add it to my collection. I will send it on to you. The spinach is such a great idea. Thanks for posting this!

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  10. That looked so delicious and healthy! I love spinach and asparagus so will definitely give it a try! Mmmm-Mmmm, good!

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  11. I LOVE risotto! All the recipes that we've made have been very labour intensive as in lots of stirring. But so, so worth it!

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  12. So, honestly, the first time I ever heard of risotto was on Hell's Kitchen, ha! And it always looks nasty but yours looks REALLY GOOD! I might have to branch out a little and try out this recipe. Looks yummy!

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  13. That sounds awesome! I have never made risotto. It kind of scares me. I do agree that a cooking date is fun. It's great when men help out in the kitchen.

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  14. Cooking with a significant other can be so fun!!:) That looks delicious!

    I love risotto! I have made one recipe with spinach and tomatoes. And I also did a pumpkin risotto! Delicious!

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  15. Wow, he eats out every night of the week!? I could never do that!

    Eric makes risotto sometimes but it is definitely not easy so I'll have to tell him about this recipe!

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  16. I love risotto, and it really isn't as labor intensive as people make it out to be. Yes there is some stirring involved but it really isn't crazy. However I do think baking risotto is a great idea. I just my have to try it, especially since I know I have a good amount of risotto rice in the cupboard.

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  17. While yours looks delicious, I've never been a fan of risotto. For some reason I don't relish short grained rice.

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  18. Yum, I love risotto! I have been eating a lot of it over the last few years since becoming a vegetarian, so I have tried many recipes. I have actually never baked it though, always the slow broth additions and stirring...I will have to give that a try! My favorite recipe though is with mascarpone and asparagus, its amazing. You cook it just like normal, but add the mascarpone at the end and let it melt all together. It makes it really extra creamy and delicious!! :)

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  19. I make a killer mushroom risotto - it is SO creamy, and amazing!! I love risotto, and have made many different kinds.

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