Fresh Tomato Risotto

I'd call this one of my staple recipes -- especially good for entertaining. It's quite easy to make, but since people generally don't have the patience for risotto, it's a nice treat for guests. I find the trick is not to rush this dish. Keep your the liquid stock you're adding to the rice hot (simmering) and add it slowly (like a fourth cup at a time). Let the rice fully soak up what you've added before you give it more liquid.

Amazingly, the dish can be made vegan very easily without any compromise in taste - just omit the butter and cheese. (Although I will admit that without the cheese the dish does lack a certain depth, but you also don't leave the table feeling that heaviness).

The original recipe can be found on cookingfriend. I will write the vegan version below. Enjoy!

Fresh Tomato Risotto

1 medium onion, chopped

2 Tablespoons olive oil

6 cups vegan vegetable broth of your choosing

salt to taste

2 cups tomato sauce

2 cups arborio rice

3/4 cup white (or red) wine

1-2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1-2 Tablespoons fresh basil

1.) Saute the onion in the olive oil over low-medium heat until it is soft.

2.) Heat the broth and the sauce in two separate pans until they are simmering. Try to keep them almost simmering the whole time while cooking. The key to a good risotto is a hot broth, fairly constant stirring, and having patience.

3.) Add in the rice to the onions and olive oil. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes.

4.) Add the white wine, continuing to stir for additional minute.

5.) Pour in a ladle of broth into the rice mixture (about 1/4 cup of broth). Stir intermittently until it is fully absorbed.

6.) Then, pour in a full ladle of tomato broth. Stir intermittently until this is fully absorbed.

7.) Alternate between adding the broth and tomato sauce (waiting until each is absorbed before adding the other) until the tomato sauce is gone. Then, continue to add the remaining broth slowly 1/4 cup at a time. This will probably take 30-45 minutes. The rice should no longer be tough, but very soft and creamy.

8.) Add in the fresh herbs and cheese. Stir and serve immediately.