Italian Harvest Risotto with Tomatoes and Arugula

Making a rich, creamy (dairy-free) risotto is not on the top ten list of most home cooks but it should be because risotto is a dish that avails itself to dozens of variations and typically requires no more than 25 minutes of time from start to finish.  The key to a great risotto is the quality of the rice, the ingredients used to flavor the risotto, and a commitment to stir the risotto as it cooks to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan.

Italian Harvest Risotto Rustico is a self-contained 12 ounce packet of Carnaroli Superfino rice, dried vegetables (tomatoes and arugula), and seasoning (garlic, turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, rosemary, sage and natural bouillon made with yeast extract, salt, vegetable oil, onions, carrots, turmeric, nutmeg, and curry) which only requires the cook to add the liquid ingredients (white wine or water and/or low sodium vegetable broth) and cook. The end result:  a hearty, rustic-style risotto flavored with tomatoes, arugula, garlic, and a blend of Italian spices.

Simply heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan and add the contents of a 12 ounce packet of Italian Harvest Risotto Rustico to the pan, stirring to distribute for one minute.  Add 1/2 cup of dry white wine (or water) and stir until absorbed. Then add 4 cups of water or low sodium vegetable broth and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring every 1-2 minutes to prevent the risotto from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Serve immediately along with a crisp green salad tossed with balsamic vinegar. Buon Appetito.

To purchase Italian Harvest Risotto Rustico on-line, go to the company’s website:  www.italianharvest.com where each 12-ounce packet is $11.