Risotto doesn't always have to be a savory dish. It can just as easily be a sweet and delious type of pudding. Something like this Vanilla Risotto here today. People can be a little put off and afraid of making risotto . . .fearing that it is a bit too complicate or time consuming, but it really isn't.
It does require constant attention however, but so long as you stay with it and do what the recipe says, you will always be rewarded at the end with something quite silky and delicious, with just a tiny bit of bite.
This risotto is not overly sweet . . . the only sweetening being a bit of honey . . . it's nicely flavoured with vanilla . . . and just a hint of ground cinnamon and ground cardamom. Warm sweet spices that go so well with both vanilla and pears . . .
Oh yes . . . the pears. Oven roasted until just tender and then peeled . . . the oven roasting bringing out their natural sweetness. Tender and sweet, sitting in an ocean of that delicious vanilla risotto. Impressive. Simple. Delicious. What more could a person ask for?
*Vanilla Risotto with Oven Roasted Pears*
Serves 41 1/2 TBS unsalted butter
175g of arborio rice (scant 3/4 cup)(You may need a bit of additonal milk)
a drizzle of warm honey and a dusting of cinnamon to finish
While the pears are roasting put the vanilla into a saucepan along with the milk and the cream. Heat just to the boil. Take off the heat immediately. Set aside.
Peel your pears and place one into each of four dessert dishes. Spoon the risotto around the pears. Drizzle with some warm honey and dust with a bit of cinnamon. Serve immediately.