Risotto is one of those fabulous dishes that you really have to make with love. It’s not the kind of thing you can just throw on the stove and walk away and dinner will be done in 30 minutes. It takes lots of attention, love and cheese. Well, I like to add cheese to just about everything… so cheese is the perfect way to finish the dish. It’s no wonder that I love to make risotto for my clients when there is an important dinner. And this past week was no exception. I picked up a bunch of big zucchinis from my farmers market so I could make something perfectly seasonal and delicious. The result – this creamy Zucchini Ribbon Risotto. I finished it with a big dollop of Marscapone Cheese to give it just the right creamy texture and a healthy sprinkle of flaky salt to highlight all the flavors.
Zucchini Ribbon Risotto
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 shallots diced (or 1 medium onion)
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup Arborio Rice
- 1/2 cup dry White Wine
- 2 1/2 cups Chicken Stock
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1/3 cup Marscapone Cheese
- 2 medium Zucchini cut into ribbons with a peeler
- 2 tbsp Basil for garnish
- salt and white pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the garlic and saute for about 1 minute more. Add the Arborio rice to the skillet, making sure to stir it around in the olive oil so that each granule is coated with it, and toast it for about 3 minutes. Next add the white wine and stir the rice. Wait until all the wine has been absorbed and then start adding the chicken stock 1/2 cup at a time, making sure not to add more until the previous addition has been absorbed. Once the rice is just tender, add the Parmesan and Marscapone cheese and combine. Add the zucchini ribbons and carefully combine into the risotto so they just barely cook down in the last minute of cooking. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper as well as the basil and serve.
Beautiful Gaby!! Love that photo 🙂
Thanks Jenny!!!
What a gorgeous photo! This looks delish!
Love and attention is exactly what this risotto got! How much to hire you to be my full time chef…priceless I’m sure 🙂 xxoo You are awesome as is this cheesy risotto.
I would totally come cook for you lady!!! xoxo
I love zucchini. Great summer meal!
YUM! Something about zucchini and the word “ribbon” sells this dish and makes it a MUST EAT dish. Can’t wait to try it!
I know right!?! The word ribbon just makes me feel fancy 🙂 haha
Zucchini is about the only thing that is doing well in my garden, here in the land of the summer that wasn’t – so I can look forward to this delicious looking meal in a few short weeks! The photo looks great!
This looks delicious! I love risotto but I’ve actually never thought to use zuchhini, but I think the ribbons will give it a nice touch. The addition of mascarpone is another idea I have to try!
Caroline – you will LOVE the addition of Marscapone Cheese… it makes it super creamy and extra delish!
Oh my deliciousness. Looks amazing. I make a Risotto w/Summer Squash & Shrimp that’s kinda sorta similar, but I love the way you sliced up the zucchini! Very pretty presentation
This looks heavenly and oh so comforting. It’s a show stopper too.
This sounds amazing. I’m a huge zucchini fan. can’t wait to try this
This looks fabulous and so creamy!
Yum, yum and YUM. Risotto is one of my favorite things ever, even though it is a labor of love. The results are always worth it in the end though, and yours looks like no exception. Can’t wait to try this!
Wow! That both looks and sounds divine! ::printing:: So happy I found you!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Great job on this risotto Gaby, what a gorgeous dish!
yum, i want this. will you come over and make this for me. i have an over abundance of zukes! this looks totally delicious!
how many does this serve?
As a main dish this serves 2… as a side dish it serves 3!! Enjoy 🙂
Gaby I just made this for dinner with salmon – can we say delish 🙂
yay!! so glad you loved it! It would be totally perfect with Salmon… 🙂
I love zucchini ribbons, so elegant. Not to mention risotto is my all time favorite comfort food. the picture is gorgeous, caught my eye on tastespotting…
I have never would have imagined to make it with zucchini ribbons, now you gave me an idea for carrots ribbons to add colors to it. Simply yummy, thanks.
Sooooooo good!! Didn’t have any Marscapone but used cream cheese with a little milk and then no fresh basil on hand so added a little dried but still delicious! Thanks for sharing Gaby!!
brilliant swaps!