Ingredients
- Roasted Pumpkin:
- Risotto:
Instructions
Roasted Pumpkin: Preheat oven to 400F. Toss together pumpkin, oil, garlic, salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne. Arrange in single layer on parchment paper-lined baking sheet; roast for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and tender. Set aside.
Risotto: Pour broth into saucepan; stir in sage and bay leaves. Bring to simmer; reduce heat to low to maintain heat.
- Heat oil in large high-sided skillet set over medium heat; cook pancetta and 1/4 cup chopped sage for 5 to 8 minutes or until pancetta is crispy. Using slotted spoon, transfer to plate.
- Cook onion and remaining chopped sage for 3 to 5 minutes or until onions are tender. Stir in rice, salt and pepper; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until well coated. Pour in wine; cook, stirring constantly, until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Reduce heat to low. Add broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring until all of the liquid is absorbed before adding the next addition, until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Stir pumpkin and pancetta into risotto; cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Stir in Parmesan and butter. (If risotto is dry, stir in enough broth or water for desired consistency.)
Fall Meal Inspiration
A fall classic, this recipe is perfect for savoring fall flavors with seasonal produce like pumpkin. However, feel free to use another winter squash such as butternut, delicata or acorn squash.
Seasoned with oil, garlic, salt, pepper, nutmeg and cayenne, the roasted pumpkin in concert with savory pancetta and sage-infused broth make this risotto outstanding! Prepare it for a cozy meal as an intimate night in, or impress family and friends at your next holiday gathering.
Tips For Making Risotto
Often considered the epitome of comfort food, risotto is that rich and creamy rice dish we all dream of perfecting at home to enjoy whenever we want. With this recipe and tips from RiceSelect, you’ll be able to master any risotto recipe.
Before beginning, it’s important to stock up on high-quality ingredients. In this case, only the best rice will do — Arborio Risotto Rice. The higher quality of the rice grains has a direct impact on the starch content, which in turn helps you achieve that silky texture and al dente core. It also has the ability to absorb the flavor of your ingredients, which is ideal for this autumn-inspired recipe.
To elevate your risotto even more, in place of simple broth, we’ve used chicken broth infused with sage and bay leaves. For best results, prepare a homemade broth or stock to use. Note: It is essential to add in hot broth, as the cold broth will cool down your pan and dish while the rice continues to cook and may result in a mushier risotto.
Contrary to common belief, risotto is not creamy because of any added ingredients, but rather because the rice releases starch when stirred with heat and broth. Any additional ingredients such as Parmesan, Mascarpone cheese or butter are for added flavor.
Find more tips for mastering this dish in our guide on how to make the perfect risotto. And, take a look at our tips for home chefs blog section including everything you need to know about rice varieties and pasta like cooking pearl couscous or how to make an orzo salad.
