You, too, can cook Risotto without burning the house down!

Today was a typical Monday here in Cleveland. It was grey, cold, and started to snow which was quite pretty as it fell in fat flakes. Anyhow, I was feeling bold, daring, and more than anything I was feeling like comfort food. Now, I know there are people out there who hate Rachael Ray. Admittedly, she isn't my favorite. But gosh darn it if she wasn't making Butternut Squash Risotto on a recent episode and it got me thinking!

I've always been intimidated by Risotto. All that stirring and waiting and whatnot. But it was warm, creamy, and delicately seasoned (if I do say so myself). Mostly, though, it was E.A.S.Y. And something you my friend can totally do. I promise it's worth it.

Winter Squash Risotto

Ingredients:
1 box of frozen Winter Squash, defrosted and drained of excess water
1/2 a medium white/yellow onion, chopped finely
2 T butter
1-1/2 C Arborio Rice
1/2 C White Wine (we used Mirassou Savignon Blanc--a new favorite)
6 C (roughly measured) Chicken Stock/Broth, heated in a pot on the stove
1/2 C Parmesan Cheese
1/2 T Chopped fresh Sage

1. Set the Chicken Stock/Broth to heat in a pot on the stove.  While that's heating, chop half the onion finely.
2. In a separate pot, melt the butter.  Add onions and a pinch of salt and sweat onions until translucent.
3. When onions are translucent, add the 1-1/2 C rice to the butter and onion mixture. Mix to coat the rice and "toast" for a minute or so on medium heat.
4. Add the wine and stir.  Let the wine absorb into the grains of rice, which are pearly and shiny in the buttery goodness.
5. Begin to ladle in the chicken stock/broth a couple of ladle fulls at a time, stirring inbetween and letting it full absorb before adding more liquid.
6. When the rice is tender, let the last of the liquid absorb. Add the thawed winter squash and stir in to warm the mixture. 
7. Add cheese and sage, mix.
8. Serve in low shallow bowls and enjoy!

I'm telling you, you will NOT be disappointed.  And it took me less than 1/2 an hour to make it. Sure, there was stirring involved, but if you were cooking a more involved meal (and why would you?) you'd be stuck in the kitchen anyhow chopping, and slicing, grating, etc.  All you have to do is stir, my friend.  Stir!

The curse of the defined palette (or Ignorance is Bliss)

Damn you good quality food!

I never thought it would come to this, but it seems that my palette has changed. For the better? You tell me.

I went through most of my years on this planet with a very limited culinary view. Orange juice comes from a can. You can add anything to ground beef, throw it on a bun, and it will be delicious. Seasoning? What seasoning? And what the hell is a Yorkshire pudding anyway? I didn't know, I didn't care, and I was fine with it. But now everything is different and it took a quick dinner fix a few weeks ago to remind me of that fact.

My little brothers are sophomores at John Carroll and since it's only half a mile away from our house, we like to have them over from time to time. This time they wanted to bring over their PS3 and play some video games with me (an activity I will never turn down), so I decided to have them over for dinner as well. Not only would I make dinner, but it would be a dinner that we all grew up with and absolutely loved...the famous Souper Burger. It is a simple recipe: brown some ground beef with onion, add a can of cream of mushroom soup, squirt in a little yellow mustard, throw it all on a bun and you are good to go.

Jeff, Jon, and I were all ridiculously excited since we hadn't eaten Souper Burger for years, but Kelly was much more suspicious. As it turns out, Kelly was right. It looked and tasted exactly like my mom's Souper Burger so why did I have such a problem with it? Probably because the taste was nothing to write home about and the texture was like I mixed a pound of ground beef with a bowl full of snot.

This actually made me really sad. It was one of those moments where you realize that sometimes the simple things just don't make you as happy as they used to; another reminder that you are an adult.

But that still didn't stop me from eating two servings.