Tomato-Basil & Spinach Risotto

Tomato Basil and Spinach Risotto is fresh and light. Perfect any time of year!

I’ve got a bright and healthy main or side dish recipe for you on this blustery Monday evening – Tomato-Basil & Spinach Risotto! 

Ever since making my first “real” risotto last month (versus oven-baked risotto which, don’t get me wrong, is good, but there’s nothing like the real thing,) I’ve felt the undeniable urge to try my hand at creating new versions. My crowning achievement will be to make one that includes mushrooms for my fungus-loving husband – I’m just not mentally ready to go there yet. It’s the texture, you see. Like licking cloth. Blarg!

After purchasing fresh basil for last week’s Crispy Gnochhi with Zucchini, Sweet Corn & Basil (still drooling over here, btw) I decided to use the leftovers in a super-light and summery risotto which combines creamy arborio rice, dry white wine, savory chicken broth, sweet vine-ripened tomatoes, tender baby spinach and, of course, lots of torn, fresh basil. The result is absolute perfection. If you are still waiting to try your hand at risotto, make this recipe yours!

Start the Tomato-Basil & Spinach Risotto by sauteing 1 minced shallot in a large skillet with 1 Tablespoon butter over medium heat. Season with salt & pepper then cook until translucent, and then add 1 minced garlic clove and saute for 30 more seconds.

Next add 3/4 cup arborio rice. You can find this in the rice aisle, or in the bulk bins!

Stir until the rice is coated in butter then add 1/4 cup dry white wine and stir until it’s nearly all absorbed. I used an inexpensive pinot grigio. As I mentioned last time, the alcohol from the wine will cook out, but it’s yummy, elegant flavor will remain in the final dish. SO GOOD.

Now turn your attention to 2-1/2 cups chicken broth that’s keeping warm on a back burner.

Add a ladle-full of chicken broth to the rice, about 1/2 cup, then stir the rice continuously until it’s nearly all absorbed. Then keep adding and stirring, and adding and stirring.

Best to put on a good tv show, some rockin’ tunes, or True Blood on the iPad, which I’ve now moved onto after watching, cough, the second season of Girls, cough. It doesn’t take forever, just 20 minutes or so.

K – time to add the mix-ins! Previously I’d seeded and chopped 2 vine-ripened tomatoes. Organic taste best, especially at this time of year. Equivalent amounts of Romas or Compari tomatoes would work great, too.

When there’s 1/4 of the broth left, add the tomatoes then keep stirring. When there’s one ladle-full left, add 2 cups baby spinach and a big handful of torn basil then stir, stir, stir.

By the way, I feel like risotto-making would be a great topic for a children’s book about patience. Finn quietly sings a song about patience to himself whenever he needs a little reminder, like yesterday when he was done with lunch but couldn’t be excused until everyone at the table was done too. Most. Adorable. Thing. EVER.

Anyways! After the last of the broth is absorbed, add 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese then stir it in. Taste then season with additional salt & pepper if needed.

This recipe serves 2 as a main dish, or 4 as a side. I served mine with “Salad Dressing Chicken.” That’s just chicken that’s been marinated in salad dressing – I used honey-mustard – for 15 minutes to half an hour, then sauteed or grilled. Super quick and easy, and it also works great with salmon!

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This recipe is really great for getting others – especially those who are intimidated by cooking – into the kitchen to help. It’s really just stirring! Enjoy!