Butternut Squash Risotto

Name: Butternut Squash Risotto
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 8 cups cubed peeled butternut squash; 1/4 cup olive oil, divided; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 4 to 4-1/2 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup water; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 cups uncooked arborio rice; 1 cup lager; 2 tablespoons butter; 1 teaspoon ground ancho chile pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 35 min. Cook: 30 min. YIELD: 6 servings.

Change up the flavor of risotto any time of year using in-season vegetables like butternut squash, spices and broths for a consistency that’s both creamy and comforting. —Katie Ferrier, Washington, Washington DC

Ingredients

8 cups cubed peeled butternut squash
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 to 4-1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups uncooked arborio rice
1 cup lager
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon ground ancho chile pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450°. In a large bowl, combine the squash, 2 tablespoons oil, salt and pepper; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, 20-25 minutes or until tender, stirring once.
2. In a large saucepan, heat broth and water; keep warm. In a large skillet, saute onion and garlic in remaining oil until tender. Add rice; cook and stir 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat; stir in lager. Cook and stir until all of the liquid is absorbed.
3. Add heated broth mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly. Allow the liquid to absorb between additions. Cook just until risotto is creamy and rice is almost tender. (Cooking time is about 20 minutes.) Add the butter, chili pepper, nutmeg and squash; cook and stir until heated through. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/3 cups: 535 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 1065mg sodium, 84g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 12g protein.