Baked risotto with mushroom, kale and leek
Author Notes: Oven baked risotto does away with the constant stirring you have to do when you cook it on the stove top. I actually don't mind the mindless, constant stirring of the more traditional method - I find it therapeutic. But if you're short on time, patience or have other things to do, this is handy - and I have to say, I don't notice any difference in taste between the two. - cooklynveg
Serves 4 to 6 people
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped or minced
- 1 celery stick, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 2 &1/2 cups good vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano cheese, grated
- 1 cup chestnut mushrooms, chopped
- 1 leek, washed and sliced
- 4 cups kale, washed and chopped, uncooked
- 1 or 2 lemons, juice of
- Preheat the oven to 350f Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, oven proof pan. Add the onion and cook for about 2 mins. Add the garlic and celery and cook for 2 or 3 minutes more.
- Add the arborio rice to the pan and stir briskly, next add the white wine and continue stirring until the wine is absorbed.
- Next add all the stock, half the cheese and a little salt and pepper. Bring to the boil stirring briskly, then cover with a lid and transfer to the oven. Leave it alone for 10 minutes.
- While that's in the oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan, add the mushrooms and leeks to the pan and saute for 5 to 7 minutes. Next, add the Kale and continue to saute for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Take the risotto out of the oven and add the sauteed veggies to the pan and stir together. If a little more stock is need at this point, add it, but not too much. Cover and transfer back to the oven for another 5 to 10 minutes (depending on how much 'bite' you like the rice to have).
- Remove from the oven and stir in the remaining cheese and the lemon juice, plus some more salt and pepper taste. Serve topped with a little more cheese, a drizzle of olive oil or chopped fresh parsley if you like
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Risotto (Savory)
Tags: kale, mushrooms, Risotto, Vegetarian



over 2 years ago ody
I made this last night, and it was delicious---a great combination of flavors and a great way to use kale. It lacked some of the creaminess of real risotto, but was still very yummy. A few notes: I doubled the recipe and found the cooking times to be much longer, and also wished I'd thought to heat the stock (5 cups was a bit much to bring to the boil quickly!). I didn't have fresh mushrooms on hand so used a mix of reconstituted dried mushrooms, which worked out great.
about 3 years ago cooklynveg
Great! glad it worked for you! Cooking it in the oven certainly makes it easier
about 3 years ago missmeigs
This was fantastic - I was looking for a way to use kale as I had never had it before. Really easy and good!