Risotto NZ Cuisine style

Hullo from the land of the long white cloud. We are enjoying our stay enormously.

Kerry made a wonderful risotto the other night - in the microwave but it was the best, creamiest risotto I have ever had. She said she requested the recipe from Cuisine, the NZ foodie mag. Here it is:

2 tbs, 50g butter
1 1/4 cups (250-300g) Aborio rice (or Vialone or Carnaroli)
2 1/2 - 3 cups well flavoured stock
another 2 tbs butter
50g freshly grated Parmesan
200-300 freshly prepared vegetables, seafood etc. (Kerry added baked pumpkin she'd baked in small pieces with fresh herbs - half she mushed in and the rest add whole when serving into bowls.) She also recommends mushrooms and asparagus as additives.

1. Heat the stock.

2 Put the rice into a 2 litre microwave safe bowl and top with butter. Do not cover. Cook on High for 2 - 3 minutes, stirring from time to time until the rice is evenly coated and shiny.

3. Pour half the hot stock onto the rice, stir well and then cook on High for 5 minutes or until all stock is absorbed.

4. Remove from the microwave and whisk or beat with a wooden spoon. You will find what sauce there is beginning to thicken.

5. Pour on half the remaining stock, mix in well and cook on High for 3 minutes or until the stock is pretty much absorbed.

6. Whisk again. Depending on how the risotto tastes decide how much longer to cook for. Add remaining stock and cook again, testing every minute or so.

7. Polish the risotto into 'glossy readiness' by stirring in second amount of butter and the Parmesan.

Stir in vegies etc. Serves 4 as first course, 2 as a main. Serve warm rather than hot.

Craftwise have seen some interesting flax work. I am finding however that a lot of the craft items are very similar to what is happening in Australia - toys, baby wear etc. I do like the NZ screen-printed fabrics though and saw a rather nice screen-printed wide charcoal merino scarf with black NZ birds on bottom and a baubly black trim. Expensive though.


The love tree lives again

Recently the love sign fell off the gum tree at home and the 'e' shattered. Yesterday we went into 'Soul' the shop in Hamilton where John bought it for us and luckily the lady had a spare 'e' she was able to sell us. I will take it carefully home with us.