Beet Risotto

Difficulty: easy Prep Time: More than 15 Minutes Total Time: More than 1 hour
2 tbsp olive oil (more as needed)
1 small onion, finely diced
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary
1 1/2 cups Arborio or risotto rice
Pinch allspice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, zest and juice
1/2 cup red wine (or white)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups peeled raw beets, cut into half-inch dice
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
4 tbsp soft goat cheese
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or green onions
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Additional grated Parmesan for garnish
Have in another pot on the stove to keep hot: 4-5 cups chicken or vegetable stock (or water)

In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed pot, over medium-high heat, sauté onion and herbs in oil until onion is translucent. Add rice and stir-fry until translucent (3-4 min.). Add more oil if necessary; it toasts the rice and helps keep the grains separate. Add allspice, garlic and finely grated lemon zest. Stir a moment until you can smell the garlic and lemon – don’t brown it. Add wine and stir to get any stuck bits off the bottom of the pot. Let it bubble and fizzle until almost dry. Reduce heat to medium, add salt and pepper to taste; stir in beets. Add hot stock, about a half-cup at a time, stirring constantly and letting stock nearly evaporate between additions. Continue to check the seasoning, adding salt and pepper as you add stock because the rice will absorb the flavours. It will take about another 20 minutes to finish cooking risotto; it will become creamy and expand as it cooks. When it seems close to ready, taste the rice. It should just give to your tooth. And if you break a piece in half with your thumbnail there should be no opaque white core. Also taste the beet to be sure it’s cooked. Squeeze lemon (not all of it) over risotto and stir it in with cheeses. Taste risotto, then add more lemon juice, salt or pepper to taste. Check consistency as the cheese thickens it up. Add more hot stock so it is oozy. Err on the side of too loose because it will tighten on the plate. Stir in butter. Add chives and parsley at the last moment. Top plated risotto with fresh Parmesan.