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James Baigrie

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Beet and Cheddar Risotto

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Beet and Cheddar Risotto

  • fast FAST
  • Vegetarian VEGETARIAN
  • staff favorite STAFF FAVORITE
TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
SERVES: 4
Alexander Donowitz, who's been a vegetarian for all of his six years, combined two of his favorite ingredients—beets ("because red is my favorite color") and cheddar cheese—to create this super-creamy, vibrant risotto. "I think I'm the only kid in my class who eats beets," he says.
ingredients
  • 1 medium beet, peeled and quartered
  • 2 cups loosely packed beet greens, stems trimmed
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 1 cup arborio rice
  • 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving
directions
  1. Place the beet in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the beet greens and pulse until finely chopped.
  2. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and vegetable broth to a simmer. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, 3 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the beets and beet greens and cook for 1 minute. Add the broth to the large saucepan, 1 cup at a time, and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the liquid is nearly absorbed between additions, 20 minutes. Add the cheddar; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring until the risotto is creamy and thick, 3 minutes longer. Serve in deep bowls, passing the Parmigiano-Reggiano on the side.
From Star Chefs the Next Generation
This recipe originally appeared in August, 2007.