Sweet Corn Risotto
A creamy and flavorful dish that combines sweet corn and rich parmesan, perfect for any occasion.
Equipment
- Large pot For cooking stock.
- Dutch oven For preparing the risotto.
- Skillet For cooking pancetta and corn.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 7 cups vegetable stock or broth
- 1 unit dried bay leaf
- 1 unit parmesan rind (optional)
- 3 ears sweet corn, kernels sliced off the cob
- 4.5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 unit sweet onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 1.25 cups arborio rice
- 0.5 cup dry, unoaked white wine (e.g., Pinot Grigio)
- 1 unit orange bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup grated parmesan (approx. 2 ounces)
- 4 ounces diced pancetta
- unit Kosher salt & ground black pepper to season
Instructions
- In a large pot, combine vegetable broth, spent corn cobs, bay leaf, and parmesan rind. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce to low heat to maintain a light simmer.
- In a separate large pot or Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, season with salt, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 2 cloves of garlic and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in arborio rice and toast for 2-3 minutes.
- Deglaze the pot with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Add corn kernels from 2 ears and bell pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Begin adding warm corn stock to the risotto, 1 cup at a time, stirring until absorbed. Taste for doneness after 15 minutes. Continue adding stock until the rice is creamy and al dente, about 20-25 minutes.
- In a skillet, melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Add pancetta, remaining corn kernels, and garlic. Cook until corn is tender and pancetta is crispy. Set aside.
- Once the risotto is cooked, stir in remaining butter and grated parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve the sweet corn risotto topped with the pancetta sweet corn mixture, fresh herbs, extra parmesan, and cracked black pepper.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, omit the pancetta and use vegetable broth. You can also add fresh herbs like basil or chives for extra flavor.