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Trust me I know Thanksgiving dinner can be an overwhelming process, so I wanted to provide you with a few tried and true recipes to assist you with your side dish endeavors. The upcoming Thanksgiving recipes will be full of autumn flavors and modernized versions of classics we all know and love.
First on my list is this irresistible butternut squash risotto with saffron. It’s rich, creamy and the perfect side dish to any holiday menu.
I was never really a fan of any type of squash until recently. I’d always pick the squash pieces out of vegetable medleys and remove them from kebabs, but then I discovered butternut squash and I am now a squash convert. Seriously, I am mildly obsessed with the stuff. First I made a butternut squash puree, then I moved onto butternut squash bread, and now this delicious butternut squash risotto recipe.
Risotto is definitely not complicated; in fact, very few ingredients are needed to throw together this splendid side dish. I’ll be honest and forewarn you that it requires a lot of stirring, so it can be a little time consuming, but I promise it will be well worth your time.
With flavors of butternut squash, pancetta, saffron, and parmesan cheese, how could this dish be anything less than amazing? Plus it’s from Ina Garten and in my opinion; you can never go wrong with an Ina Garten recipe! I want to be just like her when I grow up. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Butternut Squash Risotto
with saffron
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash (2 pounds)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
2 ounces pancetta, diced
1/2 cup minced shallots (2 large)
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice (10 ounces)
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon saffron threads
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Peel the butternut squash, remove the seeds, and cut it into 3/4-inch cubes. You should have about 6 cups. Place the squash on a sheet pan and toss it with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing once, until very tender. Set aside.
3. Meanwhile, heat the chicken stock in a small covered saucepan. Leave it on low heat to simmer.
4. In a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter and sauté the pancetta and shallots on medium-low heat for 10 minutes, until the shallots are translucent but not browned.
5. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains with butter. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 full ladles of stock to the rice plus the saffron, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir, and simmer until the stock is absorbed, 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Continue to add the stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring every few minutes. Each time, cook until the mixture seems a little dry, then add more stock. Continue until the rice is cooked through, but still al dente, about 30 minutes total. Off the heat, add the roasted squash cubes and Parmesan cheese. Mix well and serve.
Ina Garten via Food Network
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What gorgeous photos and yummy recipe!
You know I’m a butternut squash freak! This looks dang delish!
I love Ina too! I have had such good luck with her recipes. This recipe is perfect for Fall. All that lovely squash…yum!
This is lovely. Risotto and squash are two perfect things for cooler weather. Together? Even better, especially with Ina in the mix!
Love this butternut risotto! It’s a wonderful way to use some of the winter squash in my pantry. :)
I love butternut squash risotto, but have never made my own. I grew two in the garden this year. Sounds like the perfect use for them. I want to make something special with them.
I’m so glad to know you’ve learned to like butternut squash! It’s one of my most favorite veggies. Check out my ‘famous’ recipe for butternut at my blog…
http://thebetterbaker.blogspot.com/search?q=butternut+squash+bake
Several folks have told me they think it tastes like dessert….makes a great side dish.
There is little out there better than a bowl of creamy steamy cheesy risotto. Except maybe creamy steamy cheesy butternut risotto. Will be making this soon.
I can’t believe this…I made Ina’s risotto for dinner last night. Someone gave me a butternut squash and immediately knew what I was going to do with it. I can’t resist eating the roasted squash while I’m stirring! I do have to make one recommendation. I never add the additional salt because the squash is roasted with salt, the stock, pancetta and Parmesan are salty, too. I made the mistake of adding the additional salt the first time I made this and while it was still delicious, it was too salty. I didn’t have pancetta so I used a few slices of slab bacon. Warning…highly addictive!!!
This looks so darn good! It’s gotta be way better than the chicken noodle soup I’m gonna have for dinner.