Veg
By Jamie Oliver
1 hr
Not Too Tricky
serves 6
Ingredients
6 large ripe tomatoes
1 bulb of garlic
½ a bunch of fresh thyme (15g)
olive oil
1.2 litres organic vegetable stock
1 onion
1 bulb of fennel
2 knobs of unsalted butter
450g Arborio risotto rice
150ml dry white vermouth
80g Parmesan cheese
Top Tip
EASY SWAPS
- Take the principle of how I cook the tomatoes here, and try swapping in peppers, pumpkin, squash or mushrooms, just adjust the cooking time accordingly. Delicious.
- If you can’t find fennel, use a couple of sticks of celery.
- You could swap out vermouth for white wine, or just use more stock if you want to go alcohol-free.
- I’m using classic Parmesan here, but Cheddar cheese would work just fine.
Method
Celebrating the humble tomato, this beautiful risotto is delicate but packed with flavour. I've kept the risotto itself very simple and elegant, then added a juicy, sweet, roasted tomato to serve, as well as a drizzle of its roasting juices, which is a total game changer. You’ll love it.
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
- With a knife, cut the cores out of the tomatoes, then place cut side down in a snug-fitting baking dish with the whole garlic bulb, and scatter over the thyme sprigs.
- Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil, season with sea salt, and roast for 1 hour, or until starting to burst open (the juices will add game-changing flavour later on).
- Bring the stock to a simmer. Peel and finely chop the onion and fennel, reserving any herby tops, then place in a large, high-sided pan on a medium heat with 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 knob of butter.
- Cook for 10 minutes, or until softened but not coloured, stirring occasionally, then stir in the rice to toast for 2 minutes. Pour in the vermouth and stir until absorbed.
- Add a ladleful of stock and wait until it’s been fully absorbed before adding another, stirring constantly and adding ladlefuls of stock until the rice is cooked – it will need 16 to 18 minutes.
- Beat in the remaining knob of butter, finely grate and beat in the Parmesan, then season to perfection and turn the heat off. Cover the pan and leave to relax for 2 minutes so the risotto becomes creamy and oozy.
- Divide the risotto between warm plates, place a tomato in the centre with a little sweet garlic and the herby fennel tops, then drizzle over the tasty tomato juices.
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