Risotto

Hi everyone,

         Sorry, it’s been a while.  But now, it’s time for… risotto!  Although the pronunciation is argued, the dish is the same: rice cooked in broth with cheese.   I just made this for dinner last night, and it was very yummy.  Personally, I always use vegetable broth, because I like it better that way.  But, chicken broth is also an option, so you are free to choose.  This one is also a crowd-pleaser, as it is very mild and kids and adults alike enjoy it.  It can be eaten as a side dish or as a main meal, depending on what else you are eating.  This recipe will serve at least 4 people (probably more) as a main meal, or at least 8 people as a side dish. 

 

Risotto (adapted from a magazine, I think it was Real Simple)

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small chopped onion
• 2 cups rice (any kind works, but for risotto I particularly like Arborio or Basmati)
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra to taste)
• Pepper to taste (skip the salt- it’s already salty enough)

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes.
3. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low.
5. Add the wine and cook until the liquid is absorbed.
6. Add the broth, a half cup at a time, stirring constantly and waiting until it is absorbed before adding more.  It should take about 30 minutes for all of the broth to be absorbed.
7. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and pepper.
8. Spoon the risotto into bowls.
9. Sprinkle a little bit of the extra cheese on top of each bowl.
10. Serve… or better yet, EAT!

Some advice:

• Whenever I chop an onion, it makes me cry.  To ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, try lighting a candle and putting it next to you while you chop the onion.
• Make sure that you are constantly stirring and the heat isn’t on too high when you are adding the broth, because the rice will easily stick to the bottom of the pan if you are not careful.
• Anything can be put into risotto- vegetables, meat, fish… whatever you want in your meal.
• There are some foods that are better as leftovers, and some that are better the first time.  Risotto is better the first time.  There is nothing wrong with leftover risotto, but it thickens as it sits, so the texture changes a bit.  Make sure if you are eating it as a leftover that you heat it up and maybe add a little water or broth.  

Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Greengazini

 

Knitting Issues

Hi all!

I have some exciting news for you all (and especially mellowyellow). I AM BECOMING A KNITTER! That’s right! I am currently attempting to knit a pillowcase as my very first project! Kind of ambitious, and I’ve only knitted four rows so far. But it’s pretty big, so I hope to have a nice, fuzzy blue pillowcase at the end. I’ll keep you posted!

Oasiss

Some Updates….

I know it’s been a really really really long time since I’ve posted……. so now that I finally have the time I’m including lots of pictures to make up for the lack of any in the last few weeks….

That would be my lovely Juno Regina It’s grown quite a lot– I’m now past the diamond lace part and into the main lace pattern… which goes on for 42 inches. Which is a long time. I’m in no rush to finish it though, as I probably wouldn’t even wear until next fall. I’m quite proud of how it’s turning out, as it’s my first lace project.

The color is fairly off in both of the pictures, but the upper one is closest to reality. It’s actually a softer, lighter purple than the top picture.

I had been wanting a knitting bag for quite a while, as I take my knitting with me a lot. I searched the web for knitting bags, and I found some that I liked, but they were fairly expensive for a bag that I could just make myself. I used Pam Allen’s design from Bag Style. The only modifications I made were making it a bit taller and making it two colors (I ran out of green and I had some purple of the same yarn, so I just used that.) I used Cotton Ease, which worked quite well for this bag. After checking out other Raveler’s ideas about the bag, I decided to knit the handles in seed stitch with the yarn held double for strength. If I made this again (which I very well might) I would make the handles shorter than I wanted, as they have already stretched some.

To prevent needles from poking through, I lined the bag with some cheap fabric I found at a craft store nearby. I used my sewing maching to sew the lining, but as I’m not much of a seamstress I was afraid for the results. Luckily most of the loose threads and messiness is hidden.

This is practice for my latest idea. I recently got the book Knitting On the Edge by Nicky Epstein, which includes 350 fabulous edgings and ideas to apply to whatever knitting project you wish. I absolutely love the book, the designs are beautiful and there are pictures for every single design which are lovely and clear. My only complaint is that often there are several designs on a page and it’s difficult to tell which instructions go with which picture. I decided I wanted to design my own tank top for summer. After looking through the book I decided to make a baby doll sort of effect with the bottom of the “skirt” being lined in “casey’s picot point” (it’s on page 84 for anyone who has the book). This was my first time trying a picot edge, which I have now fallen in love with. Although it took me quite a while to sort out some confusion about the instructions (there’s a mistake in the abbreviations in the back- sk2p stands for slip one, knit two together, pass the slipped stitch over, not slip one, knit two together, pass the slipped stitch over, knit two together) it moved along quite fast. I love how it looks and can’t wait to get started on my top. I just recently bought a set of Denise Interchangeable needles which are now my absolute best friend! I’ll be using those to knit it in the round. Of course I need yarn…… I probably won’t use what I used for the above picture- Lion brand microspun- because it’s not very nice (acrylic) and very splitty. I’m hoping i’ll be able to find some kind of not-too-expensive silk blend. Wish me luck!

Time

Gosh, it’s been a while. It seems like every time I sit down at the computer with the intention of writing an article or nagging the staff, I get caught up in email or work. May is (at least for me) a time where everyone wants to get their work done, before the summer. “Work now, play later” is the motto of the month. Bank balances are being scrupulously checked, houses being cleaned, term papers being written, and vacations planned. And above all, empty promises are being made left, right, and center. “I’ll do the bills later, honey” or, “I’ll get that paper typed ASAP, sir!”. You make promises to your boss, your spouse, your teacher, even yourself, that you know you’ll never fulfill. And then, a couple weeks or months or years later, when the “promisee” confronts you about the promise, you just blush or stutter or feign confusion.

Perfect example. Go, Monkey!

Oasiss

I’m Mohair.

What kind of yarn are you? I discovered this quiz from this post. The quiz is here. Go try it- it’s pretty fast

 

You are Mohair.
You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with others, doing your share without being too weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely refuse to change your position once it is set, but that’s okay since you are good at covering up your mistakes.