Risotto with Montasio cheese, pears and coffee powder

• 10 minutes to prepare • 30 minutes to cook • Serves 4

 

 

Say cheese

Risotto with Montasio cheese, pear and coffee powder is a delicious and tasty first course, perfect if served on special occasions, such as a dinner with friends.
The strong, umami taste of Montasio cheese is softened by the sweet and juicy pear flavor and perfumed with coffee aroma.

It’s a creamy, delicate risotto. I used Williams pear, because of their soft consistency and sweetness but you can use the pears you prefer. About Montasio, I chose the stagionato (aged) quality because I find it a perfect match with pear delicacy.

If you have not tasted this combination of flavors yet, try this recipe. You will be not disappointed!


Here's what you will need for the 4-serving recipe:

 

320 g Carnaroli rice 
1 shallot
1 sprig rosemary
120 g grated Montasio cheese
1 glass white wine
1 l vegetable broth
30 ml Grappa liquor
2 ripe pears
10 g butter
1 teaspoon sugar
EVO oil
salt and pepper

1. Wash the sprig of rosemary and chop it. Keep it aside
2. Braise the chopped shallot with 2 tablespoons of EVO oil until golden, then pour the rice into the pan and let it toast for 1 minute
3. Simmer it with the white wine until it evaporates
4. Add the rosemary and cook the rice, adding a spoonful of boiling vegetable broth at a time, as for a normal risotto, (please refer to the cooking time indicated on the rice package)
5. Meanwhile, peel the pears and cut them into pieces. Place the butter in a pan and let it melt. Add the pears and braise for 2 mintes. Then, add the sugar and simmer them with Grappa until it evaporates. Finally, keep them aside
6. 5 minutes before the rice is done, add the Montasio cheese and the pears to the rice. Stir to mix until cooking is complete
7. Before serving, top with soem coffee powder...and rush to the table!!

In the following, Nutrition Facts of this dish are indicated. Data is provided per serving.