Caramelized Onion Risotto With Corn and Bacon

DIRECTIONS

• Light a grill or preheat the oven to 350.
• Grill or roast the corn in the middle of the oven for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender.
• Let cool slightly, then remove the husks and cut the kernels off the cob into a bowl; reserve the cobs.
• Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large nonreactive saucepan.
• Add the sliced onions and cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until caramelized, about 25 minutes.
• Add to the corn kernels.
• Add the bacon to the saucepan and cook over high heat, stirring, until browned and crisp, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.
• In another large saucepan, bring the chicken stock and corn cobs just to a boil; keep warm.
• Meanwhile, heat the bacon fat.
• In a food processor, finely chop the onion, carrot and celery.
• Add to the bacon fat and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir until evenly coated with fat.
• Add the white wine and stir constantly until almost all the liquid has been absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the corn, sliced onions and bacon.
• Add 1 cup of the chicken stock to the rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until absorbed.
• Continue adding stock, about 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until absorbed before adding more.
• Cook until the rice is just tender, about 25 minutes.
• Stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
• If the risotto is too sticky, add a little more stock.
• Serve, garnished with chervil sprigs.
• NOTE:
• To prepare corn for grilling, pull back the husks and remove the silk. Pull the husks back up over the corn and soak briefly.