Easy Microwave Risotto

I love Risotto, yet rarely make it and only on special occasions, mostly due to the time and effort involved.  I had never heard about making Risotto in the microwave until a friend mentioned it to me.  I immediately made it that night and I was very impressed.  I don't think I could tell the difference in a blind taste test between preparations.

I tweaked the recipe a bit, by sautéing the Shallot and Garlic in some Olive Oil before adding to the bowl.  I further tweaked it by adding some Onion.  There are so many options you could use, peas, mushrooms, tomato, etc.  You could add a protein or change up the Sherry and use White Wine.

4 Servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon fruity olive oil
2 Mushrooms Chopped
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 large garlic clove, finely chopped

1/8 cup minced onion
1 cup Arborio rice
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup dry sherry
Pinch of Saffron
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Stir together the oil, garlic, mushroom and onion in a medium non stick saucepan.  Sautee for 5 minutes or so until fragrant and translucent.  Transfer to the bowl you will be cooking the Risotto in.  Add the cup of rice to the bowl.

Heat the 2 cups of broth and place the Saffron into it to bloom for a few minutes.

Mix in the broth and the sherry, cover, and microwave on HIGH for 18 minutes.

Stir to see if broth is absorbed and risotto is creamy. If not, microwave for another 2 to 5 minutes, then stir in the Parmesan cheese and serve.

Homemade Foccocia Bread

My husband worked in a local Pizzeria while in Jr. High and still knows how to spin a pizza.  I make the dough and he makes it into a delicious Foccocia.  We like to eat it as an Appetizer or add some proteins and more cheese and make a pizza.

When we were in College we used to buy pre-baked Foccocia from a local bakery and our own toppings, we have fond memories of those days.

1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
 2 1/2 cups bread flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

Topping:  We used grape tomatoes and sprinkled on Oregano, Salt and a little Italian Seasoning

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F . In a medium bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

Stir in flour, salt and oil. Beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and pat or roll into a round. (to make it resemble a Foccocia use your fingers and dimple the top) Transfer crust to a lightly greased pizza pan or baker's peel dusted with cornmeal.

Spread with desired toppings and bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Let baked pizza cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Thai Coconut Chicken

I found a pack of chicken thighs in the freezer and Hubby remembered a Thai Pork dish he made after taking a Thai Cooking Class, we decided to do the same basic marinade but use Chicken instead.  It turned out beautifully, both sweet and spicy, it is a new favorite at our house!  I served the thighs with Coconut Lime Rice.


Ingredients:

Chicken Thighs, skin removed (we used a Costco pack of Thighs)

Marinade:

Cream Of Coconut (purchased at the liquor store, but I am sure you could find at a grocery store)
1/4 cup siracha
Juice of 1/2 lime and the zest of a full lime
1/8 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Cayenne

Mix marinade well in a Ziplock bag or bowl, place chicken in making sure to massage the chicken around in the marinade.  Let sit for one to two days, moving the chicken around in the marinade once or twice.

Grill, the thighs until cooked thru (the chicken may need salt)