Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Risotto
When using wine in cooking, the general rule of thumb is that if it's not something your would drink then don't cook with it! In this recipe Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay would work well. There are many good wines for cooking that are only $6-7 a bottle.
5-6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
1 lg. carrot, finely diced
1 lg. leek, white & light green parts only, julienned
1 1/2 lbs. butternut, peeled, seeded & diced in 1/2" cubes
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups arborio rice
1 cup dry white wine
1/4 lb. aged goat cheese, such as cabecou
1 1/2 tsp. salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Minced fresh sage for garnish (Optional)
Heat the stock to bare simmer in a saucepan and keep it hot. Heat the butter & oil in a lg. skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, carrot and leek and cook, stirring, occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes, until soft. Add the squash, garlic and rice and cook, stirring, until all the grains for rice are coated with oil. Add the wine and cook, stirring, until it is almost completely absorbed.
Add the hot stock about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly & allowing the liquid to be absorbed by the rice before adding more. When all of the stock has been added, check the rice for doneness. It should be creamy but slightly al dente at the center. Add more stock or water if necessary to complete the cooking, then add the cheese, and season with the salt & pepper. Stir well.