Lemon Risotto with Rosemary Chicken

[jaco]

Risotto
Ingredients
1 shallot, skin removed.
2 sticks of celery
60g/2oz. of unsalted butter
1 tablespoon of olive oil
300g/10oz. of aborio rice
1½litres/2pints, of vegetable stock,
zest of 1 lemon
50ml/13/4fl.oz.of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary needles, roughly chopped
½ of a small red chilli, deseeded and chopped very finely
1 egg yolk
80g/21/2oz. of fresh parmesan, grated
5 tbsp of double cream
salt and pepper to taste.

Risotto
Method
1. Heat the vegetable stock in a saucepan, keep it at simmering point.
2. In a food processor whiz together the shallot and the celery until it becomes a fine paste. Alternatively, if you don't have a food
processor, chop the shallot and celery very finely until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl combine the egg yolk, lemon juice, parmesan, cream, salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside for later use.
4. Heat half the butter, oil and the celery mixture in a heavy based saucepan and cook uncovered for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture softens.
5. Add the rice to the celery mixture and stir well to give it a good coating of oil.
6. Pour a ladleful of stock over the rice and stir with a wooden spoon until all the stock is absorbed.
7. Continue adding stock until rice is al dente, just cooked. You may find you don't need to use all the stock, or may even need to add some additional hot water. The risotto should resemble runny
porridge and the rice should still be firm to the touch, but not chalky.
8. Mix the lemon zest, chilli and the chopped rosemary into the risotto. Cook for a few minutes then remove the risotto from the heat.
9. Add in the remaining butter and the lemon juice and parmesan cheese mixture and stir well.

Rosemary Chicken
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts, skin removed
4 tablespoons of olive oil
60ml/2 fl.oz.of lemon juice
5 tbsp of fresh rosemary needles, roughly chopped

Rosemary Chicken
Method
1. Cut chicken breasts into long bite sized strips and pierce each piece a few times with the knife.
2. Combine half the oil and remaining ingredients with the chicken and allow to marinate for a few minutes.
3. Heat the remaining oil in a fry pan and add the chicken.
Cook chicken over a medium heat until it is golden brown on both sides, about 1 ½ minutes each side.
4. Remove from the heat and serve with the lemon risotto.


Preparation Time 10min.
Cooking Time 20min.