Creamy Sausage Risotto

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 4 Italian sausages, casings removed 4 Italian sausages, casings removed
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups (300g) Arborio rice 1 ½ cups (300g) Arborio rice
• ½ cup (120ml) white wine ½ cup (120ml) white wine
• 4 cups (960ml) chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups (960ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat: 25g (12g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 35g (2g sugars)
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sausages and cook until browned, breaking them up into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until the onion is translucent.
3. 3.
   Stir in the Arborio rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, until the grains are coated with the oil and slightly toasted.
4. 4.
   Pour in the white wine and cook until it has evaporated, stirring constantly.
5. 5.
   Gradually add the chicken or vegetable broth, one ladleful at a time, stirring continuously until the liquid is absorbed before adding more. This process should take about 20 minutes, and the rice should be creamy and al dente.
6. 6.
   Stir in the dried thyme, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using).
7. 7.
   Remove the pan from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Serve the risotto hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Arborio rice — Use Arborio rice specifically for risotto as it has a high starch content, which gives the dish its creamy texture.
• Italian sausages — Look for high-quality Italian sausages with a good balance of flavors. Remove the casings before cooking to crumble the sausages into smaller pieces.

Tips & Tricks

• Stir the risotto continuously while adding the broth to ensure a creamy consistency.
• Use homemade chicken or vegetable broth for the best flavor.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the taste according to your preference.
• For a milder flavor, remove the red pepper flakes from the recipe.
• Serve the risotto immediately after cooking to enjoy its creamy texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Creamy Sausage Risotto as a main course, accompanied by a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables. It pairs well with a glass of dry white wine.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top of the risotto before serving. You can also grate additional Parmesan cheese over the dish for added richness and visual appeal.