PUMPKIN ARANCINI WITH BLUE CHEESE FONDUE AND PORT WINE SYRUP

Friday, December 4th, 2009

12.4.09-pumpkin_arancini

Yield: Serves 4-6

Time: 1 hour

Pumpkin Risotto:

1 small pumpkin

Extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 cups Arborio rice

1/4 cup shallots, diced

1 cup dry white wine

1 quart low-sodium chicken stock, heated

1/2 stick unsalted butter

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup rice flour

Parsley leaves for garnish

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Split pumpkin and scoop seeds out.  Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper then roast in oven for 25-30 minutes until tender. Puree in a food processor.

Place a large pot over medium heat and add a 3-count of olive oil.  Add shallots and cook for 5 minutes, until soft.  Stir in the rice making sure to coat all the grains with the oil.  Add wine and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated.   Ladle in 1 cup of hot stock at time.  Using a wooden spoon, stir gently until most of the stock has been absorbed.  Keep adding stock, a cup at a time, and stirring.  After about 10 to 15 minutes, test the rice.  It should be cooked and creamy but still have a slight bite to it.  Add water if you use all the stock.  Season with salt and pepper; stir in butter and parmesan.  Gently fold in roasted pumpkin puree and give it a final taste and seasoning.  Spread out the risotto on a flat tray to cool in the refrigerator.

Once the risotto is completely cooled you can make the arancini.  Roll into small bite-size balls, dredge lightly in seasoned rice flour and fry in hot 350 degree F oil.  Drain on a paper towel and season with salt.  Fry parsley leaves to use for a garnish.  Serve with Blue Cheese Fondue and Port Wine Syrup.

BLUE CHEESE FONDUE:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups whole milk

1 cups crumbled blue cheese

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Make a roux, by combing butter and flour in a pot over low heat. Heat milk then add hot milk to roux 1 cup at a time to ensure no lumps. Bring to a boil, cook for 10 minutes, add nutmeg, fold in blue cheese and season. Set aside and keep warm until ready to serve.

PORT WINE SYRUP:

1/2 cup port wine

Set port wine in a small sauce pan over medium heat and reduce until thick and syrupy – about 5-7 minutes.

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