Disclosure: Thank you to the #FreshTastyValentines sponsors for providing the giveaway prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the participating bloggers with samples and products to use for #FreshTastyValentines recipe development. (In this post in particular, I am using Sauvignon Blanc I received from Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and herbs from Gourmet Garden in the recipe. I have an ongoing relationship with Gourmet Garden and was compensated by them for this recipe.) All opinions remain my own.
Shhhh! C’mere! I’ve got a secret! Everything you thought you knew about risotto is wrong. It may seem like the sort of side dish you’d find on the menu at a pricey restaurant, hidden away because there’s some sort of secret magic that makes it more desirable than regular ole rice. But it’s a lie! Why? Because it’s REALLY easy to prepare. Honest! Consider it the mac and cheese of the rice world…but ultimately even simpler than that. Just plan on 20 minutes at the stove and you’ll have a high brow accompaniment for your sweetheart’s dinner that’ll score you bonus points…without really sweating it.

I bought into the hype for years that I could not make risotto. Gordon Ramsey will scare you out of attempting just about anything. But reality TV isn’t real, and a lot of things in life that seem complicated or scary turn out to be quite attainable, if only you’re just a little bit patient.

In the same amount of time that it would have taken me to boil water and make boxed pasta, I can cook risotto. Only it’s better, because people think it’s fancier. You win! (And as for me? I’ll be eating it for every meal after… we’ll just call it my own personal version of carb loading…with cheese.)

I have two more #FreshTastyValentines sponsors I’m highlighting in today’s recipe for Herbed Risotto! I’ve chosen to use Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi’s Sauvignon Blanc in this recipe, as most risottos start with a cup or so of wine. I think it gives the final product a nice flavor, but if you’re strictly alcohol-free, feel free to substitute with additional chicken stock. The herbs are simplified with Gourmet Garden’s Lightly Dried parsley and basil. I love how you have the ease of dried herbs, but with so much more flavor…without the hassle of handling fresh herbs!

Check out other #FreshTastyValentines recipes for today:

[inlinkz_linkup id=596686 mode=1]

Risotto is made easy with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and Gourmet Garden! Both are sponsors for #FreshTastyValentines week!

Herbed Risotto

Carrie @ poet in the pantry

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Course Side Dish

Servings 4 -6

Ingredients

32 ounces chicken stock
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion diced
16 ounces arborio rice
12 ounces dry white wine like Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Sauvignon Blanc 2014
1/3 cup Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Basil
1/3 cup Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Parsley
2 cups 6-cheese Italian Blend shredded cheese

Instructions

In a 2-quart pot, bring chicken stock to a simmer; turn temperature down and keep hot.
In a 2-quart nonstick pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until tender. Add the rice and toss to coat, cooking for 30 seconds or so.
Add the wine and start the timer for 20 minutes. Simmer and stir frequently to prevent the rice from burning; once the wine is absorbed, add 1 ladle of chicken stock. Continue stirring and adding the stock when the liquid is absorbed, 1 ladle at a time, until rice is al dente and all the liquid is absorbed.
Remove from heat and add the herbs and cheese, stirring until combined.
Serve immediately.

Notes

It's important to serve the risotto right away, as it thickens the longer it sits. To reheat leftovers, add a touch of butter and microwave in 20-second intervals.

Don’t forget to enter the big giveaway with FOURTEEN different prizes!!!

The #FreshTastyValentines Giveaway is open to residents of the United States and is void where prohibited. Giveaway will run from February 1, 2016, to February 8, 2016. Winners must be 18 years of age. Winners will be notified by email.
a Rafflecopter giveaway