A RISOTTO RECIPE

Sandi, another friend from the SLOW TRAVEL MESSAGE BOARD
is always posting great recipes on her WHISTLESTOP CAFÉ BLOG. The other day she posted a risotto recipe that sounded so good I tried it that same day for lunch - and it was really, really yummy! Check out Sandi's BLOG for other great recipes and ideas, but here's the recipe just in case you can't wait.....

Poppy Seed and Sweet Onion Risotto

2 Tbs poppy seeds
2 slices bacon (I used thick slices of pancetta)
1 sweet onion diced
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
white wine - maybe 3/4 cup
1 Tbs butter
3 cups chicken broth simmering on a back burner.


In a small bowl soak poppy seeds in just enough white wine to cover. In a deep frying pan, fry bacon- fry a couple of small onion rings for garnish. Reserve a small amount of the bacon grease and pour off the rest. Saute onion until translucent, add rice and stir for a couple of minutes.

Continue making the risotto as you normally do... add wine to deglaze the pan. Add the broth one cup at a time.

Cover and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. ( I set the time for 15 minutes, then reset for about 10 minutes more. Check the risotto often!)

When all the broth is used and the risotto is tender, add the poppy seeds and wine, crumble the bacon into the pot, add 1 Tbs butter and stir until creamy.

Thanks Sandi!