Recipe - Risotto

windowshopper100

Just personally speaking, I would go for sage. I like it but I find rosemary a bit 'medicinal' sometimes and if you overdo it, it can taste positively soapy.

WS100

competitionscafe

I would go for sage (fresh not dried) - I like both but agree with what ws100 said about rosemary being easy to overpower with, I think it's great with roast or grilled lamb but I prefer sage with squash although it's personal preference really.

Thats quite a starchy menu (beans, rice, bread) - (as you said yourself), hope it's a cold night on Friday and everyone is hungry!

Might have to try making that bread and butter pud

Money~Bunny_3

competitionscafe wrote: »

Thats quite a starchy menu (beans, rice, bread) - (as you said yourself), hope it's a cold night on Friday and everyone is hungry!

My sis and brother-in-law both have *really* big appetites At least they won't leave hungry!

Thanks both for pointing out the overpowering quality of rosemary. Sage it is

competitionscafe wrote: »

Might have to try making that bread and butter pud

It is sooo nice - but buy medium-sliced bread not thick stuff as I did (oops!) I ended up with a delicious pudding but it nearly overflowed and oozed all over my oven...

windowshopper100

Sorry MoneyBunny, I forgot to say proper thanks in my previous reply (re sage vs rosemary) for the risotto rice link.

On reflection, I guess risotto made with basmati is called biryani.

WS100 x

champys

Does everyone use the proper risotto rices or have we ever blagged our way with normal basmati - I know it doesn't go as creamy but hey.

i use basmati most of the time because i always have it in the house - it is cheaper, works fine and my OH actually prefers it to arborio.

i have even perfected the art of cooking risotto in my pressure cooker, another shocking one for the puritans. still, i do not compromise on home made chicken stock: i agree with competitionscafe that this is essential for the flavour!

windowshopper100

A Pressure cooker - Sharp intake of breath - you heretic, you!!

I don't posess either a pressure cooker or a slow cooker and frankly I feel left out on this website! I've tried to convince DH that I need one but he points out I've got a lovely cooker with a timer function and several casserole dishes.

I kinda feel he's got a point... but I'll carry on working on him.;)

WS100

champys

windowshopper

my OH is very 'green' and bought me the pressure cooker because it is a great energy saver - it is the same with a slow cooker (which i do not possess). both make a substantial difference: think of having the oven going for 3 hours for a casserole! for me of course the many added benefits are what really makes me use it. but maybe your DH could be sensitive to the energy and therefore money saving argument?

windowshopper100

Hi Champys

I put that very point to him and quick as a flash he said I could fit at least 3 casseroles in at once.. and again... he's bliddy right.:wall:

Please don't get me wrong, this isn't causing arguments, it's more a gentle battle of wits. I must be undecided about getting one otherwise I'd just stick two fingers up and get one anyway!:p I'm way off feeling the need to start posting in the marriages / relationships forum.

But thanks for having a think about it on my behalf.:D

Looks like I've got a batch casseroling session coming on one Sunday .

Cheers, all the best
WS100

champys

well let me try to give you some more ammunition. one casserole - for example my boeuf en daube - takes 25 minutes in the pressure cooker: that is made with cheaper bits of stewing beef, so oven equivalent definitely 3 hours. the pressure cooker keeps under pressure on the lowest possible hob. so simple calculation: 3 casseroles still only take 3 x 25 minutes = one hour 15 mins. so wins hands down!

now i would be very interested to hear the slow cooker people on the energy consumption for a casserole, because i suspect that will also beat the 3 casseroles in the oven. could anyone give us the stats?

thanks a lot..... :-)

windowshopper100

Ooooh, you're good... or evil, I'm not sure which.:D

25 mins! Yup, that'd defo be 3 hrs in the oven - at about 150 degrees C would you say. Blimey, pressure cookers have obviously come on a bit (I only remember mum's and she was scared of it, all that hissing and wobbly knobs).

I've clearly got some research to do.

Yes, interested to get some slow cooker stats too.

Poor boy, I almost feel sorry for him now;) . He won't know what's hit him (cue evil laughter).

Very many thanks.
WS100