Tomato Basil Risotto
It's nearly Halloween, but we've had only one frost here in Chicagoland; so I still have a few tomatoes hanging onto their vines in the 'garden'. (The tomato patch was actually just a strip of wasted space between our driveway and the neighbor's fence. It worked great!) So, while tomatoes are reaching the very, very end of their season, I still had a few to use up - yet with the chilly temps, I wanted something warm and comforting. Flipping through the fantastic family-friendly cookbook Cooking Light Real Family Food by Amanda Haas, I found the perfect recipe: Tomato-Basil Risotto.
This dish containing 'creamy' rice, cheesy goodness, fresh basil and tomatoes is a shoe-in in terms of kid-friendliness. While being a fairly healthy dish (all the recipes in this book qualify as fairly healthy,) as a dietitian I had to add more veggies by serving up a scoop of risotto in a whole tomato. I told my kids we were having a 'fancy dinner.' They ate it up - literally.
Oh, and don't be scared off by the classic risotto preparation of adding chicken broth by the cup-full, and stirring after each addition. This recipe takes less than 20 minutes in the stirring department - and it easily takes me 20 minutes to get my three kids focused on the tasks of washing their hands, setting the table, remembering to distribute napkins, etc.
Since this Tomato-Basil Risotto recipe is copyrighted in the cookbook, I won't share it, but it can be found here. And dozens of delicious Cooking Light risotto recipes can be found here.
I wouldn't say I found wasted space because I've always had a veggie garden. I do use some extra pots on my porch though for a small salad/herb garden.
Pots are an excellent way to add space...although I've only had luck with herbs and spindly tomatoes in pots....oh and lettuce comes up as 'micro greens' which is pretty cool!
I didn't have a wasted space, I planned all a long to put in a garden. It is a good sized garden and does real well. Keeps us very busy. Now, I could use the cookbook so I have some recipes for all those veggies.
cjbrick@ymail.com
yes i did but we are in the middle of winter now...
Yes, I've found some wasted space and we are planning on planting some roses in the spring. We might get creative and make a raised vegetable garden too.
Seasidesmitten@aol.com
I filled up a wasted space with easy-growing mint and lemon thyme! They don't require much attention, bugs hate 'em, and if I need some herbs I can just grab a handful. 🙂
I love this serving idea! I think I have a tomato in the fridge, what a good way to use it! 🙂
i have plenty of empty space in my backyard.
There is always room to grow more!
That's the fun part! Finding the space and seeing what grows!
What a bummer...I don't have a yard! Living in a condo will do that to you. However, I have a couple of planters on our balcony where I grow tomatoes and basil.
Great determination to grow stuff where ever you have room!
Yes but huge trees keep the sun away
Have you found any veggies that do well in shade? I've heard some herbs fare pretty well in shade.
Between the large garden, the fire pit, the horseshoes, the grill, the bar and stools, table and chairs, no I don't think I have any wasted space.
cjbrick@ymail.com
So fun to hear you have a large garden...someday!
No wasted space, might have to buy out the neighbor!
cjbrick@ymail.com
I have a nice little herb garden but since I'm in an apartment, I don't have much so say on my back yard
An herb garden is a great idea!