Author Notes
I LOVE clams - raw on the half shell, in chowder, in pasta..any which way! I keep cans and cans in the pantry in case I need my fix and I know I'll be satisfied this week! Fresh asparagus has started coming here to Michigan at very reasonable prices and so I pulled out the rice and a couple of those cans and made a risotto. And I'm fully aware that the cheese doesn't pass muster with an Italian seafood risotto but a little sure tastes good! —inpatskitchen
Ingredients
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1 cup
arborio rice
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1 tablespoon
olive oil
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2 tablespoons
butter, divided
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1/4 cup
minced shallots
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1
large clove garlic, minced
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1/3 cup
dry white wine
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3 cups
warm clam broth or juice
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2
6.5 ounce cans of chopped clams (throw the juice in with the clam broth)
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1 cup
asparagus tips and some stalk, cut in 1/2 inch pieces ( try to find very thin asparagus)
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1/4 cup
grated parmesan (optional for the purists)
Directions
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In a medium sauce pan gently saute the shallots and garlic in 1 tablespoon of the butter and the olive oil until the shallot softens. Add the rice and stir until the grains are well coated.
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Add the wine and over medium heat stir with a wooden spoon until the rice absorbs most of the wine.
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Start adding the clam broth, about a half cup at a time, stirring almost constantly. Add a half cup more after the broth is absorbed into the rice and continue doing this until the broth is used up and the rice is cooked. This will probably take 20 to 25 minutes.
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Stir in the asparagus and drained clams and stir a minute or two more. Stir in the second tablespoon of butter and the parmesan and serve immediately.
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Note: You probably won't need to add salt to season depending on the strength of your clam broth, but a few grinds of black pepper over each serving is very nice.
I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining.
My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!
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