Preparation / Directions:
To Prepare the fresh tomatoes, drop them into boilg salted water (the salt helps to retain the red color) for 30 seconds, then immediately run them under cold water. With a knife, peel the skins off and scrape our the seeds with a spoon , or squeeze the tomatoes to remove the cores. (Personally I prefer to use a swivel peeler to peel to tomatoes and squeeze the seeds out, they retain their flavor much better this way!) Coarsely chop the tomatoes.
Heat the butter (first 2 tablespoons) in a skillet over moderate heat and add the tomatoes. Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, until the tomatoes become tender and turn a red-orange color. Add salt and pepper to taske. Turn off the heat and set aside.
Bring the broth to a steady simmer in a saucepan on top of the stove.
Heat the butter and oil in a heavy 4-quart casserole over moderate heat. (Instead of a casserole, we just use a sauce pan that will hold the finished product.) Add the onion and sauté‚for 1 or 2 minutes, until it begins to soften, being careful not to brown it.
Add the rice to the onions; using a wooden spoon, stir for 1 minute, making sure all the grains are well coated. Add the wine and stir until it is completely absorbed. Begin to add the simmering broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently. Wait until each addition is almost completely absorbed before adding the next 1/2 cup, reserving about 1/4 cup to add at the end. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
After approximately 18 minutes, when the rice is tender but still firm, add the reserved broth and the tomatoes. Turn off the heat and immediately add the remaining condiment-Parmesan and basil-and stir vigorously to combine with the rice.
Serve Immediately.
VARIATION: Add a pinch a saffron to the rice when you begin to add the broth. It will lend an intense orange hue to the risotto.
OUR NOTES TO THIS:
Always use fresh plum tomatoes, and use the swivel peeler to peel them. When you use to boiling water method, the tomatoes start to cook.
Don't sauté‚the tomatoes first. Instead add 1/3 to 1/2 of the tomatoes early in the rice cooking period along with a pinch of basil. Add the rest of the uncooked tomatoes and basil at the very end, long enough to get them warmed and juices flowing.
We use about 1/4 - 1/3 cup fresh basil to make this with (for 3/4-1 cup of rice) and 3 or 4 tomatoes
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