New Year's Eve Italian Tradition: Risotto with Lentils

(Catholic Online) - According to Italian tradition, lentils are served on New Year's Eve after midnight, and supposedly the more you eat the richer you become.

The following recipe is from the cookbook Tales of Risotto: Culinary Adventures from Villa d"Este by Jean Govoni Salvadore and Luciano Parolari. The 'Risotto with Lentils' recipe would be a perfect dish to help bring in 2007. Risotto with Lentils Serves 4 to 6 6 cups vegetable stock
4 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cups Carnaroli rice
½ pound pancetta or bacon, diced
1/3 pound lentils, boiled)(br /) 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese(br /> Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1. Bring the stock to a boil in a medium saucepan, then reduce the heat and keep at a bare simmer.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter with the olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes, until every grain is coated with butter and oil.
3. Add 1 cup of the stock and stir until the liquid is absorbed. Continue adding stock, about ½ cup at a time, stirring frequently and making sure all the liquid is absorbed before adding more stock. Cook until the rice is just tender and creamy but still al dente, 15 to 20 minutes. You may have leftover stock.
4. While the risotto is cooking, cook the pancetta in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towers. Set aside. 5. Just before removing the risotto from the heat, add the lentils and pancetta. Remove the risotto from the heat and stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter, the Parmesan cheese, and the salt and pepper to taste. Let the risotto rest for a minute or two and serve piping hot. - - - This recipe was republished by Catholic Online with permission from Glitterati Incorporated. Tales of Risotto: Culinary Adventures from Villa d'Este can be purchased at (www.GlitteratiIncorporated.com).

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