Wild Red Rice with Artichokes and Stracchino
Category: Main Courses
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Wild red rice | 300g |
| Artichokes | 2 |
| Stracchino cheese | 150g |
| Whole milk | 80g |
| Vegetable broth | 1L |
| Shallot | 1 |
| Salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Lemon zest | 1 |
| Fresh thyme | 3 sprigs |
Instructions:
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Begin by heating a pot with vegetable broth to a simmer on medium heat, ensuring that it’s ready for cooking the rice. In the meantime, prepare the shallot by peeling and slicing it thinly.
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Now, focus on the artichokes. Start by trimming the tough outer leaves and cutting off the tops. Once the outer layers are removed, cut the artichokes in half. If you find any hairy bits (the choke) in the center, scoop them out, then slice the hearts into thin strips.
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In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil and sauté the shallots over low to medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, until soft and fragrant. Add a ladle of the warm vegetable broth and let it cook gently for 5 minutes, allowing the shallots to absorb the flavors.
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Once the shallots have softened, add the sliced artichokes to the skillet. Let them cook until they become tender, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle in a bit of salt and black pepper to season them, along with a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest for brightness.
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It’s time to add the wild red rice. Stir the rice into the skillet, allowing it to coat with the shallot and artichoke mixture. Continue stirring for a minute or two to infuse the rice with those savory flavors.
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Pour in the remaining vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the rice cook for about 20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
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While the rice is cooking, prepare the stracchino sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the stracchino cheese and whole milk. Blend until smooth and creamy.
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Once the rice is fully cooked and the flavors have melded together, stir in the fresh thyme leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
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To serve, plate the rice mixture and drizzle the smooth stracchino sauce over the top. Garnish with extra fresh thyme or a bit of lemon zest for added flavor.
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Serve immediately, and enjoy this rich and flavorful wild red rice with artichokes and stracchino!
Enjoy your meal, a harmonious blend of tender rice, creamy cheese, and the earthy essence of artichokes!
