Thai Red Curry Risotto

dicentra's Note:

Sunset, OCTOBER 2002

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 onion , peeled and chopped (about 6 oz.)
• 3 tablespoons grated peeled fresh ginger
• 2 garlic cloves , peeled and chopped
• ¼ cup salad oil
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• ¾ teaspoon Thai red curry paste
• 1 ½ cups arborio rice or 1 ½ cups other short-grain white rice
• ½ cup dry sherry
• about 4 cups fat-skimmed chicken broth
• 4 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms , rinsed, stems removed, and sliced
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 ½ cups frozen baby peas
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• salt
• 1 lime , rinsed and cut into 6 wedges (about 3 oz.)

Directions:

1. In a 12-inch frying pan or 14-inch wok over medium heat, stir onion, ginger, and garlic in oil until onion is barely limp, about 2 minutes.
2. Stir in paprika, curry paste, and rice, mixing well to coat rice. Pour in sherry and cook, stirring to scrape up any browned bits, until sherry is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
3. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and stir until broth is mostly absorbed, 3 to 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and coconut milk; stir gently until liquid is mostly absorbed, about 1 minute.
4. Add 2 more cups broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring after each addition until almost absorbed, about 15 minutes total.
5. Rice should be almost tender but still slightly firm to bite. Remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, up to 4 hours.
6. Return pan to medium-high heat, add 1 more cup broth, and stir until liquid is absorbed and rice is creamy and tender to bite, about 9 minutes.
7. If risotto is too dry or rice isn't quite tender, add a little more broth and cook until risotto reaches desired consistency.
8. Stir in peas, cilantro, and salt to taste. Spoon risotto into serving bowls and garnish each serving with a lime wedge.

Reviews

[Karen Elizabeth]

I prepared this when my cousin came to visit, a simple meal with lots of flavour, she declared it the best ever 'comfort' food and couldn't believe that a rich 'exotic' dish could be put on the table so quickly and with so little fuss! I did omit the mushrooms, added a finely sliced red pepper for colour, and I sauteed shrimps in some butter, lime juice and garlic and added them when serving, this was a fabulous meal and a real keeper. Even my DH who doesn't particularly like risotto said this was excellent and would like it again soon please! Thanks, dicentra! Made for New Kids On The Block