Fennel

Orange Fennel Risotto Cakes

by:
March 19, 2010
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Orange Fennel Risotto Cakes
  • Serves 12 individual portions
Author Notes

I am sucker for texture. As a low sodium cook, I always try to trick the senses with an unusual spice or unexpected crisp. It's like a Magician distracting the audience from noticing the cards already tucked up his (or her) sleeve. When it comes to noodles and rice, I also love to have a bit of broiled crunch on the top. Whether it is mac and cheese or in this case, risotto, the oven-fried pieces make the traditional "mushiness" all the more magical. So for this recipe, I applied a technique I discovered a few Thanksgivings ago, when making individual, crusty stuffing servings for my guests. A cupcake tin! By scooping individual portions of risotto into each cup, you get the perfect sized of risotto for each of your guests. And everyone gets to enjoy a good amount of crispy goodness. —Sodium Girl

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup low sodium vegetable (or for non-vegitarians, chicken broth)
  • 3 cups oyster mushrooms, roughly chopped
  • 1 small white onion
  • 1 large fennel bulb with fronds
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2/3 cup Arborio rice
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1 orange, juice and grated peel
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
  • 4 cloves of garlic
Directions
  1. Finely chop onion and garlic.
  2. Wash fennel and cut off the stalk and fronds (save these and keep whole). Halve bulb and chop into 1/4 inch cubes.
  3. In a small pot, bring vegetable broth and water to a boil.
  4. In a tall, heavy pot melt the butter and allow it to brown, 4 minutes.
  5. Add onion and garlic to butter. Saute for 5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
  6. Add fennel and saute for another 5 minutes.
  7. Add rice and saute for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
  8. Increase heat to medium and add the wine and fennel fronds. Continue to stir.
  9. Once the wine has been fully absorbed, add a 1/2 cup of broth and stir. Cook until the broth has been absorbed and add another 1/2 cup. Continue this routine (pour/stir/absorb/pour some more) until all the broth has been used. Rice should be creamy, but not too mushy. So when it looks and taste right, hold off on the remainder of the broth
  10. Heat oven to 380 degrees and grease your cupcake tin.
  11. Stir in mushrooms, ricotta, and orange juice. The ricotta may look a little clumpy, but it will completely melt in the oven.
  12. Take out full fennel fronds and scoop risotto into the cupcake tin and fill to the top. Cook for 25 minutes or until the top of each risotto cake is crisp.
  13. Broil on low for 5 minutes before serving.
  14. To plate, scoop out and place, crisp side on top, on a plate and add a spoonful of ricotta and some orange peel on top.
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Sodium Girl
In January of 2004, I received a diagnosis that changed my life. I was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease that in my case attacked my kidneys and brain. Due to the intensity of the initial “flare up” of the disease, I became renal insufficient and eventually faced kidney failure. Amazingly, through great medicine, wonderful family and friends, and an enormous amount of support, I became stronger and healthier and miraculously, my kidneys partially regenerated. I no longer depend on dialysis and by regulating my diet, I depend on fewer medications. Five years later, I work part time and live a full and utterly enjoyable life. My dietary restrictions have transformed into a real passion for food and I hope to be able to pass along my favorite finds to others facing similar dietary challenges. Be creative, be friendly, and be full!

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