Saturday, February 21, 2009

another vegan triumph

so tonight was my first attempt at risotto and i have two confessions to make up front. the first is that it wasn't really a true risotto as i used orzo instead of rice. the second is that i cannibalized the recipe from my favorite food blog, VeganDad. soul-bearing out of the way, i must say that it was awesome. i took some liberties in the preparation that i think make it sing.

my version:

1C orzo
2t olive oil
1/4 diced onion
2T nutritional yeast
1 clove garlic minced
2T butter (vegan butter)
2.5C vegetable broth (hot)
1/4t dried thyme (1/2t fresh)
1C red wine (i used Yellowtail Merlot)
handful of broccoli florets (blanched)

1. boil orzo in salted water for about 5 minutes. strain. reserve.
2. saute onion and garlic in olive oil until they just begin to brown.
3. add butter and orzo, coat thoroughly.
4. stir in wine and thyme over low/med heat until completely absorbed.
5. add one ladle of hot broth, stir continuously until absorbed. repeat until orzo is al dente.
6. add nutritional yeast, broccoli, and a splash more of the wine. cook 5-10 more minutes.
7. salt/pepper to taste. eat. grin smugly. gloat when possible.

it was so good. i'd happily put it up against anything you'd find in a restaurant, vegan or non. it was well worth the toil and i just wish you could have had some.

~thorns

**really...it was THAT good

3 comments:

T said...

Mmmmm. Sounds good! And nutritional yeast is wonderful--you have had it on popcorn, right?

But I wonder--why didn't you use the real thing and do some arborio rice? Yeah, it's a little more time and labor-intensive, but well worth it, because it tastes creamy even though it's not. Do this next time:

1. get arborio or similar.
2. saute an onion, or better yet, a couple of shallots in good olive oil.
3. soak a cup of dried porcini mushrooms in hot water. Make sure to reserve the soaking water, and chop the porcini.
4. Add a little fresh or dried thyme to onion, and the porcini. Saute for about a minute, and then saute rice in that until it gets glisteny (probably also about a minute)
5. add about half a cup of white wine, stir until it gets absorbed.
6. add mushroom water, ditto
7. then start adding a good veg stock--we like rapunzel brand cubes, but kallo do gorgeous ones, too.

Keep stirring and adding more liquid 'til it's done. It sticks easily, so you have to pay attention to it, but it's SO worth it. Hmm. Makes me want some for breakfast right now!

pleasurefromthethorns said...

i would have used arborio if i'd had some but the orzo was handy and quick. i do have to be honest and say that i don't know how the arborio could be better than what i made last night. i actually shocked myself with how good it was.

and yes, nutritional yeast (nooch) on popcorn is awesome. whenever we go to the movies, i smuggle in my home-popped corn and nooch.

i am excited to try your recipe though!

T said...

It did sound good, I have to say!

Why is nutritional yeast "nooch"?