Wednesday, July 11, 2012

nothing like family

My parents came to visit over 4th of July weekend and we had a ball! Antiquing, eating good food, shopping, enjoying good drinks, movie watching - and napping - the perfect staycation! We hit a few of Vance's and my favorite restaurants including Garden Brunch Cafe, Puckett's Grocery and Eastland Cafe. On Sunday, I made a lemon risotto with shrimp and peas and it was quite good. My mom had bought a delicious loaf of Parmesan focaccia at Fresh Market, and it was the perfect accompaniment. 
 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 small onion, minced
1 1/2 cups carnaroli or Arborio rice 
3/4 cup white wine
zest of one lemon
5 cups chicken broth, heated
1 cup cooked peeled shrimp
1/2 cup fresh shelled peas or frozen baby peas run under hot water and drained
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Heat the broth in a small saucepan, keep at a low simmer. In a large saucepan heat the oil and butter on medium heat. Add onion to the butter and oil and stir until translucent. Add the rice and stir constantly to keep from burning, cook for 5 minutes. Add the wine, stir and reduce the wine by half. With heat at medium-low add 1 cup of warm broth and lemon zest, stir briefly and allow to reduce. Keep adding broth one cup at a time, stirring occasionally allowing each cup of broth to reduce before adding the next cup until the rice is al dente, about 20 – 30 minutes (to prep ahead of time stop adding broth after about 15 minutes, chill broth and rice until ready to resume and finish adding re-warmed broth 1 cup at a time, until al dente). Stir in the peas and shrimp and add another 1/2 cup of broth, cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in parsley, Parmesan and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Family visits together always go too fast, but they are a great reminder of how lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our lives. Looking forward to seeing some Northern friends and family again soon!

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