Weeknight “Risotto”

Love risotto but don’t have any Arborio or Carnaroli rice? We used the rice from our pantry for an easy weeknight dinner. In just one-pot, the rice’s starch dissolves and thickens with chicken broth & canned tomatoes for a creamy and delicious main or side dish. Makes 4 ample servings.

Easy Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces cooked chicken or turkey sausage (not breakfast), cut into ¼-inch slices *Uncooked sausage ok too, cut into bite size pieces. Or remove from casing and break into crumbles

  • 3 ½ tablespoons divided, Villa Graziella Organic extra virgin olive oil, + more to taste

  • 1 cup instant, organic brown rice. Regular-non instant or white rice ok

  • 1 cup low sodium, organic chicken broth

  • 1 15-ounce can fire-roasted organic tomatoes, including juice

  • 1 orange, 1 red or yellow bell pepper-cored, ½ inch diced. Approx. 1 cup each

  • 1 small or ½ medium yellow onion 1/4 inch sliced, 1 cup. Spanish onion ok too

  • 2 cloves fresh garlic finely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil

  • ½ teaspoon sea salt. Kosher fine too

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper

  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped, dry also ok

Simple Directions:

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat in a Dutch oven or large non-stick skillet with a tight-fitting cover, add meat cook thoroughly about 5-8 minutes

  2. While meat is cooking, wash, core and dice peppers, and prep. onions

  3. Remove cooked meat and set aside

  4. Heat 1 tablespoons oil over medium high, add peppers, onions, salt & pepper

  5. Sauté until onions become soft and golden, not brown, about 3 minutes

  6. Lower heat to medium, add 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, rice, garlic and red pepper flakes, stir to coat the rice about 1 minute

  7. Add chicken broth and tomatoes in their juices, mix thoroughly, increase heat to medium high, stir occasionally and bring to a boil

  8. Cover, simmer on low heat until liquid reduces and rice is tender, approx. 15 minutes

  9. Return meat to pot and stir rice to distribute evenly, cover and remove from heat. Let rest about 5 minutes, until most of remaining liquid is absorbed and rice is tender

  10. Sprinkle with parsley, extra oil and spices to taste, serve & enjoy!

Helpful Hints

Cooking time for regular (not instant) is usually longer. Check package instructions white or brown rice cooking time also varies. If using instant white rice, add less broth, check so rice does not overcook and add more broth towards the end if rice is dry.

Avoid basmati, jasmine or long grain rice, as they do not enough have starch to become creamy.


Find the inspirational recipe here…https://www.wellplated.com/sausage-and-rice-casserole/

Tried, Tasted & True!

We try & taste every recipe we feature. We love to share our family recipes, those of home cooks & chefs and we sometimes adjust them. We want you to have a healthy & delicious experience using our recipes. So, try them, tweak them and please tell us about it! Take a photo and tag us on Facebook and Instagram @villagraziellaorganic- We love seeing your creations and welcome your comments & feedback!

Grazie!

RecipesChristi SinclairComment