(Ri)Sotto Voce
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
But more about the recipe later......
Where has the time gone?? I have been busy and tired. Busy with a birthday, busy with a boatload of cupcakes, busy with Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (again) and busy watching new DVDs,though without our memory aids it's a wonder MrsDrWho and I ever get anything done!!
Harki is still well and thoroughly vaccinated, though Gilly jumped on her yesterday and hurt her leg. Peri is starving because she is on a diet too. The weather has been stormy and wild again, but we still go for a walk and they both still hop into the creek. They love the water!!!
Lorelai Gilmore is mortally and totally afraid of the new broom and the bag of pine bark. She is not afraid of anything else, and regularly performs death defying feats, which is why I am keeping the front windows closed. Poor long suffering Peri.
The Labradors have been helping me do this:
The coin purses are almost on their way. I am a slow assembler!!!
Now, to Curtis Stone and Coles' first Feed Your Family for under $10 recipe:
Mushroom and Parmesan Risotto
Ingredients
Ingredients: The recipe wasn't clear about which packet of rice to buy, so I bought the larger one to be safe. There was no fresh parsley to be found in the store at all.
Method: This is not a meal you would whip up quickly after a long day at work. I stood at the stove stirring and chopping and stirring some more for about 45 minutes all up. You can't leave the pan with this risotto. Personally, I like the mushrooms to be sautéed a little before they are added at the end, I think they taste different. There are some much quicker risotto recipes for the oven or microwave.
Taste & Presentation: This was not my favourite risotto, I made it strictly to the recipe, but I like a richer stock, more cheese and cooked mushrooms. The picture on the recipe card shows the risotto topped with shaved parmesan. This is not included in the cost, neither is the side salad and dressing.
Cost Effectiveness: The herbs are very expensive, $2-95 a bunch, and you only use a small amount so you really have to freeze them to make sure you can use them again, but the recipe came in under budget. The risotto made 1 3/4 cups for each of the four serves, and I am not sure that it is enough by itself to feed a growing teenager?? The addition of the salad and extra shaved parmesan would enhance the whole 'meal' experience.
I give this 6/10.
The postman brought us a bag of Luxury from Bendigo, four balls of 8ply Leaf. The blanket underneath is new Op Shopped for The Labradors. It was nice and clean this morning until someone or other put their grubby paws all over it!!!
Next time, my exciting Lino printing adventures and Recipe #2!!!!
I have to admit, I've never made a risotto - all that standing and stirring puts me off. I really should try it now that I can watch tv from the kitchen (bit of an abomination I suppose but I don't care!)
And I love your front window! Stained glass? I'd be looking at the window, not out of it!
Posted by: Rose Red | Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 05:36 AM
'Lorelai Gilmore is mortally and totally afraid of the new broom and the bag of pine bark'....heh heh this made me snork out loud. As did your as ever clever title (whew - that rhymes)....I await the postie - come on Cindy.....hurry up.
Posted by: Donyale | Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 09:10 AM
woo hoo!!! new yarns from Bendigo!! I love love love their new luxury yarn. What are you going to make?
Posted by: Michelle | Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 10:26 AM
I love making risotto - and find the stirring sort of soothing (and I make everyone else do any running around - because I can't leave dinner!)
The dogs are dorable as ever - and I laughed myself sick at the memory aid - a high level of self awareness there!
Posted by: Tinkingbell | Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 01:37 PM
I really like Bendigo's Luxury wool too ~ I saw someone's on the weekend. It was the Purple Storm colour...which was not green, Cindy, but it was gorgeous none the less! It felt lovely too. I think I'd like to make a beret and some fingerless gloves out of it.
The girls looks gorgeous...and I love your stained glass windows. Is there a story behind them?
Posted by: inkberryblue | Thursday, 27 August 2009 at 05:58 PM
I too don't mind stirring risotto. However, there is a cheat's way which works almost as well. Add all the liquid, cover and put in oven at about !90 deg. Still works amazingly well.
Posted by: Jan | Friday, 28 August 2009 at 02:46 PM
it's so great you are road testing the recipes I really apreciate it and will await the next one with anticipation!!! thanks for doing it. and yes you are right it is of course a Harry Potter scarf!!!!!!Our house is Harry mad, well Bel and I anyway, Shayne and Zoe can live without it I suppose
Posted by: Linda | Saturday, 29 August 2009 at 06:06 PM
Ooooh the yarn looks delish! What are your plans for its future? I'll be keeping an eye out in the post for a little envelope - thank you AGAIN! I'm a very spoilt knitter :) and very grateful too xo
Posted by: sasha | Sunday, 30 August 2009 at 01:32 AM
The risotto recipe looks pretty yummy. I've never made any but the thought of creamy and cheesy is a strong push.
Lucky Labs, getting a new blankie. Grubby paws seem like a mark of approval.
Posted by: Laurie (Moo!) | Sunday, 30 August 2009 at 01:52 AM
mmm bendigo luxury. so soft! so stretchy (be careful with blocking she says!) and a lovely colour, even if its green:) i am so looking forward to my upside down cup cake purse. i wish i could sew something in return. and hugs to puppies xx
Posted by: drkms | Sunday, 30 August 2009 at 07:33 AM
Ah yes, the new broom. And the bag of pine bark. LOL
http://bea-blacksheep.blogspot.com/ has a problem with hungry/bored dogs too. Hers are bulldogs.
Posted by: lynne s of oz | Monday, 31 August 2009 at 06:09 AM
Thanks for the review of the recipe. My girls love risotto & I cooked it frequently using my own recipe with whatever ingredients I have but our favorite is mushroom & spinach.
Posted by: Ann | Monday, 31 August 2009 at 10:54 AM