Sweet leeks, creamy goat's cheese and crispy bacon are a marriage made in food heaven in this fabulous risotto that's as kind to your budget as it is to your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 leeks, finely sliced
- 2 celery sticks, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 6 rashers streaky bacon, chopped
- Small handful fresh thyme leaves or lemon thyme leaves
- 350g risotto rice
- 200ml white wine
- 800ml chicken stock, hot
- 25g butter
- 50g Parmesan, grated
- 100g goat’s cheese, crumbled
Method
- 1. Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan over a medium heat. Add the leek and fry until slightly soft. Remove and set aside. Add the celery, garlic and half the bacon, and fry for 5 minutes.
- 2. Return the leek to the pan (keeping back a spoonful). Add the thyme and rice and stir for 1-2 minutes.
- 3. Turn up the heat, add the wine and bubble for a few minutes to cook off the alcohol. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, waiting until each one is absorbed before adding the next.
- 4. Meanwhile, fry the remaining bacon in a pan until crisp. Drain on kitchen paper and set aside. Take the risotto off the heat and stir in the butter, the Parmesan and half the goat’s cheese.
- 5. To serve, divide among 4 plates and top with the reserved leeks, remaining goat’s cheese and bacon.
Nutritional info
Per serving: 708kcals, 29.3g fat (14.1g saturated), 31.1g protein, 73.9g carbs, 2.2g sugar, 3g salt
Chef's tip
Roll any leftover risotto into balls and dust in flour. Dip in beaten egg, then breadcrumbs. Deep-fry until golden brown for lovely nibbles with drinks.