Risotto is luxurious, comforting, and so satisfying. It has the reputation of being labor intensive, but we’re here to dispel that rumor—ours could not be easier to whip up. Sure, it needs some TLC, but couldn’t we all use a little more of that? This version has charred corn and tender zucchini for texture and depth of flavor. There’s also fresh basil and tangy lemon juice to contrast the creamy richness. To take the dish above and beyond (rice the bar, if you will), it’s finished with a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil.
Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
½ ounce
Basil
2 unit
Veggie Stock Concentrate
1 unit
Corn on the Cob
1 unit
Zucchini
1 unit
Yellow Onion
5 teaspoon
Garlic Oil
¾ cup
Arborio Rice
1 teaspoon
Italian Seasoning
1 unit
Lemon
¼ cup
Parmesan Cheese
(Contains Milk)
1 teaspoon
Chili Flakes
2 tablespoon
Butter
(Contains Milk)
Salt
Pepper
Wash and dry all produce. Pick basil leaves from stems; set leaves aside. Combine 4 cups water (7 cups for 4 servings), stock concentrates, and basil stems in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat. Slice corn kernels off cob. (TIP: Do so over a bowl for less mess.) Halve zucchini lengthwise; scoop out and discard seeds with a spoon, then dice zucchini into ¼-inch pieces. Halve, peel, and finely dice onion.
Melt 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings) in a large pan over mediumhigh heat. Add corn and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until veggies are softened and lightly browned, 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off heat; transfer to a large bowl. Wash out pan.
Heat half the garlic oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, rice, and Italian Seasoning. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until onion is softened and rice is translucent, 2-3 minutes. Leaving basil stems in pot, add ½ cup stock to rice mixture; stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium.
Continue adding stock (leaving stems in pot) ½ cup at a time to pan with rice, stirring after each addition. Allow rice to absorb most of the liquid before adding more. Repeat process until rice is al dente and mixture is creamy, 25-30 minutes. Meanwhile, zest and quarter lemon. Stack basil leaves, then roll up lengthwise and slice crosswise into thin ribbons.
Stir veggies and half the basil leaves into risotto. Cook, stirring, until warmed through, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat and stir in half the Parmesan and 1 TBSP butter (2 TBSP for 4 servings) until melted. Squeeze in lemon juice to taste and season with salt and pepper.
Divide risotto between bowls. Garnish with remaining Parmesan, basil leaves, and garlic oil. Top with a pinch of chili flakes and as much lemon zest as you like. Serve with remaining lemon wedges on the side.