Beetroot Risotto With Goats' Cheese & Walnuts

A beetroot fanatic? Try this colourful risotto out :) Source: Delicious magazine - April 2003

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 450  g  whole  baby beets
• 600  ml  vegetable stock
• 50  g unsalted butter
• 1  onion, peeled, finely chopped
• 2  garlic cloves, crushed
• 250  g arborio rice
• 2  teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 150  ml red wine
• 75  g walnuts, roughly chopped
• 125  g  soft fresh goat cheese
•  wild rocket, to serve (arugula)

Directions

1. Drain the beetroot juice into a jug and add the vegetable stock to that to make up about 1 litre.
2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until just softened.
3. Add the rice and thyme and stir to coat the rice grains in the butter.
4. Add the red wine to the rice and continue cooking until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
5. Add the stock mixture, a ladleful at a time, stirring to prevent catching and allowing the liquid to be absorbed before adding the next ladleful. Continue for about 20 minutes until the rice is cooked but slightly al dente.
6. Dice the beetroot into small cubes, and then add to the risotto, along with two-thirds of the chopped walnuts.
7. To serve, crumble the goats' cheese over the beetroot risotto, sprinkle with the remaining walnuts and then garnish with some wild rocket.