Easier Risotto with Roasted Fennel and Olives

By Amanda Paa – Updated April 23, 2021
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Easier Risotto with Roasted Fennel and Green OlivesEasier Risotto with Roasted Fennel and Green OlivesThis easier risotto recipe is sponsored by Olives from Spain, a partner of Heartbeet Kitchen

Even for someone who considers the kitchen their favorite place, when I hear the word “risotto” I think “fussy”. My attempts in the past had proven to be marginal at best, with a tendency to overcook and end up with mushy rice that could only be saved by turning them it into risotto balls.

I resolved to try again, and find a foolproof method for making great risotto without a lot of stirring, or thinking. I stumbled upon an article from Cooks Illustrated that employed a different technique that I’ve now played around with for a week, and tweaked to my liking. And in the meantime, I’ve also created a roasted fennel and spanish olive relish to top it with that hits all the right notes.

So, here are the secrets!

  1. This method is based on lots of liquid added near the beginning of the cooking time, instead of little bits throughout. This agitates the rice grains much like stirring, accelerating the release of creamy starch.
  2. A lid is used on your pan as well, to distribute the heat evenly.
  3. The heat is set to a low simmer, to avoid scorching the rice at the bottom, and allow the grains to absorb the liquid slowly.
  4. No wine. And just a little bit of stock. But mostly water. That’s right, untraditional I know. But I feel like both of these concentrate while cooking, and compete too much with the natural flavors of the rice and toppings. Food 52 agrees.
  5. When you take the cover off, the risotto will seem like it has too much liquid. But a five minute rest with a few stirs is just what it needs to thicken, without becoming mushy.
  6. Instead, I like to make it almost like polenta, adding cream, butter, and cheese at the end to for an extra creamy and flavorful result.

Easier Risotto with Roasted Fennel and Green OlivesEasier Risotto with Roasted Fennel and Green Olives

While the risotto is cooking, you can make the roasted fennel and olive relish (because you won’t be standing over the stove stirring!). When roasted, fennel caramelizes into mild, sweet, vegetable nirvana. Tossing the olives and fennel with garlic, olive oil, and lemon zest creates the punchy relish that turns the risotto into something special.

For this recipe, and much of my day to day cooking, I use spanish queen olives (although Spain grows over 300 varieties!) because they’re brine-cured, with a crisp texture and smooth flesh, with a slightly smoky, almond-y flavor. You might be used to seeing them stuffed with pimentos, garlic, or bleu cheese, but they are fantastic as is, adding umami to so many dishes.

xo,
Amanda

Easier Risotto with Roasted Fennel and Green Olives

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Easier Risotto with Roasted Fennel and Green Olives

Easier Risotto with Roasted Fennel and Olives

No stir risotto! Made on the stovetop, with salty olive and fennel.
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Prep Time :10 minutes
Cook Time :30 minutes
Total Time :40 minutes
Author: Amanda Paa

SCALE:

Ingredients

Risotto

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup dry arborio rice
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken stock
  • 2 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • juice of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced fennel fronds

Fennel and Olive Relish

  • 2 small bulbs fennel cored and thinly sliced on the diagonal
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt divided
  • 3/4 cup coarsely chopped spanish queen olives
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • zest of one lemon

Instructions 

  • In a medium dutch oven (preferred) or deep skillet (that has a lid), heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and stir, cooking 5 minutes, until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add rice, and stir to coat all the grains. Cook for 3 minutes, until you can see the white in the middle of each grain. 
  • Add stock, and cook a few minutes, until absorbed. Then add water, salt, pepper, bay leaf. Bring to a light simmer. Cover and cook for 19 minutes, stirring twice.
  • Remove lid carefully, pulling up and not tilting to avoid water from lid going into pot. Stir and cook for five minutes, until thick but still loose. Add cheese, lemon juice, butter, cream, fennel fronds. Stir. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Then stir until thick and creamy, but still loose. 
  • For relish, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Toss fennel with olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add to a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, until caramelized. Remove from oven and toss with remaining ingredients. 
  • Taste risotto for salt, and then plate, adding 1/3 cup relish to top of each portion. Leftovers will keep for 3 days in refrigerator.

Did you make this?

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February 26, 2018

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3 comments

  1. Mimi

    I love the whole presentation! Fabulous! Risotto never scared me, but nothing did when I started cooking some 40 years ago. That fearless approach works sometimes, sometimes not! But risotto really is easy – I’ve even taught kids to make it. And it’s so versatile – as your version proves!

  2. Meredith | Earth & Oven

    I looove your tips for the easiest-possible risotto! I have found the dunk and go method to be a dream when I don’t feel like following too closely to a recipe.

  3. Ruby

    I have always thought of risotto as fussy as well, which is probably why I never made it! Love how you’ve simplified it and added those gorgeous flavors on top. Can’t wait to try this for a weeknight dinner soon :) xx