Smoked Salmon Risotto

Image provided courtesy of the bbc good food website

Smoked salmon is an interesting ingredient as it adds unexpected depth and dimension in terms of flavour, has a good hit of protein and is also rich in electrolytes, omega 3 oils and other benefical bells and whistles on the nutrition scale.If you're not a fan of smoked fish then by all means use conventional salmon. The best thing about smoked salmon is that for dishes liek this you cna buy smoked salmon trimmings (which are a good deal cheaper also.

Its exceptionally good from late autumn to spring as it provides a hearty meal in those colder months.

This recipe makes about 10 servings, which is good if you're feeding a large family. it also means you can store some of it and reheat it at a later point, makes a convenient lunch to take to work or wherever else also. Feel free to add other punchy ingredients such as lemon zest, herbs such as dill, fennel, tarragon, rosemary or even sage for added punch.

Ingredients


2 Onions finely diced
1 leek white flesh only finely sliced
4 cloves of garlic crushed
4 tablespoons of olive oil
700g of Arborio rice
500ml of white wine
1500ml of fish stock boiling
Seasoning
400g of Smoked Salmon sliced
A punch of parmesan shavings

Preparation:

In a heavy based pan sauté off the onions, leeks and garlic sweat but do not colour too much

Add the rice stir in and wait for the rice to start cracking

Add the liquid little by little stirring frequently until all the liquid has been absorbed

The rice such still have a bite about it and not soft

Remove from the heat and just prior to serving fold in the smoked salmon and parmesan .

Baked Yellowfin Sole with Lemon & Vanilla Risotto

This dish provides fresh & clean flavours to allow the subtleness of the yellowfin sole to shine through. A good recipe for springtime, this comforting dish provides mellow textures & clean flavours to excite and smooth the palate.

Ingredients (serves 1)

For the fish:

2 yellowfin sole fillets

50g butter

Pinch salt & pepper

For the risotto (serves 1):

300ml chicken stock

80g butter

1 onion, chopped

1 stalk celery chopped

100g arborio rice

1/22 lemon, rind finely grated

Salt & freshly ground pepper

1tbsp fresh rosemary

1tbsp fresh thyme

1 vanilla pod, seeds extracted

Method

Heat the chicken stock in a saucepan over a medium heat.

Heat the butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion & herbs, and vanilla seeds. Cook for about 3 minutes or just until soft. Add the rice and stir until well coated in the butter.

Add 1 cup of the hot stock and cook, stirring often, until the stock is absorbed. Continue adding the hot stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring until the stock is absorbed and the rice is just tender.

Stir the lemon rind through the risotto and then season to taste. Season with freshly ground pepper & Serve immediately as a base for the fish to sit on.

For the fish:

Preheat oven to 200 degrees centigrade. Line a baking tray with greased, greaseproof paper, put the fish on here and season with the salt & pepper, & butter. Cook in the oven for about 10 mins until fish is cooked. Serve on top of risotto & garnish with fresh rosemary & parsley.