Milanese Spritz

I stumbled upon this cocktail via the internet and doing more research came across a few recipes with subtle differences. Some versions add club soda, dry Vermouth or gin to customize. We decided to try the Henry C's version. It's a spritzer beverage so it's light and refreshing. Great for summer.  

Milanese Spritz
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makes 1 cocktail

15ml Campari
15 ml Dry Vermouth
15 ml Gin
20 ml fresh lemon juice
20 ml Simple Syrup
Sparkling white wine, to top

Place the Campari, dry Vermouth, Gin, Lemon juice and syrup into a large wine glass. Give a gentle stir to mix together. Fill with ice and top up with the white wine. Put a lemon wedge on top, if you wish. 


Have a great weekend everyone! - JD 

Risotto

Another item on my comfort food list is risotto. Perfect as a side or marvellous on it's own. This mushroom risotto with the addition of dry salami adds a pleasant smoky flavour. 

Mushroom Risotto with Mini Chipotle Dry Salami 

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4 cups no salt vegetable stock, room temperature

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoons butter

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 pint of brown mushrooms, washed and sliced

1 1/2 cups risotto rice

1 cup dry white wine

1-2 mini chipotle dry salami sticks, sliced 

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

salt and pepper

Heat the olive oil with 2 tablespoons of butter in a deep large frypan over medium heat until the butter has melted. Stir in the onions and mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes, until the onion and mushrooms are soft and nicely golden. Do not brown.

Reduce heat, add the rice into the fry pan, mix to coat. Cook stirring continuously, for 2 to 3 minutes or until the rice is translucent. Add the wine and cook, stirring continuously until the wine has reduced.

Gradually add in the room temperature stock, a cup at a time. Stirring continuously and add more liquid as the rice absorbs each addition. Increase the heat to medium so that the liquid simmers. Cook for 20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is creamy but still firm. Gently fold the sliced salami into the risotto's last 5 minutes of cooking time. 

Remove the risotto from the heat and add the remaining, 1 tablespoon of butter. Mix well,  then stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts. Season with the salt and pepper, if you wish. Serve.

Notes: You may heat up the vegetable stock and add that to the risotto, instead of it being room temperature. Although it may pose some benefit however by the end of the recipe, I think, either room temperature stock or boiled stock create the same taste. So I go with less dishes and use room temperature stock.     

    

Hope everyone a nice long weekend. - JD 

Broccoli Cheese Risotto

Serving up something cheesy always has it's advantages. This risotto is easy and comforting, to say the least. To make this simple yet satisfying dish you will need the following...

1 white onion, diced

a crown of broccoli, raw and chopped

2/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1/4 cup asiago cheese, grated

1/2 cup old farmer's cheddar cheese, grated

3 tablespoons of olive oil

2/3 cup dry white wine

3 cups low sodium vegetable stock

1-3/4 cups risotto rice (Italian or arborio)

   

First you want to heat the olive oil in the saucepan. Add the onion and cook over low to medium heat. Stir occasionally for about 10 minutes or until soft. Then add the broccoli and cook for a few minutes.  

When the broccoli has turned a nice bright green colour, stir in the rice. Stir and cook for at least 1 minute or until the rice is translucent. Whatever remaining oil that is left in the pan will coat the rice.  

Pour in the wine and simmer for 1 minute, stirring until all the wine has been absorbed. Gradually adding the stock. You do not have to pour all the stock in at once... gradually and slowly. Reserving half of the stock until most of the liquid is absorbed from the first addition. Add the remaining stock. Increase the heat so that the liquid simmers. Simmering for about 15-20 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. You want the rice to be creamy however firm to the bite. With this recipe the rice should not be mushy.

Once all the stock has been absorbed remove from heat and add the cheese. Gently stir until all the rice has been coated. You may season with salt and pepper if you wish. Serve immediately. 

Hope everyone is having a good week! - JW