The first recipe up for January for French Fridays with Dorie is called Dressy Pasta “Risotto”. It’s not really a risotto at all. The “risotto” part actually comes from slowly cooking the pasta in (chicken) broth until it is nearly totally absorbed by the pasta, like it would be if it were arborio rice. Other than that, it’s more akin to a fancy mac & cheese. What would be a quite ordinary dish becomes extraordinary with the addition of freshly grated Parmesan, heavy cream and a dollop of mascarpone. The rich sauce tasted much like the one I use for potatoes gratin, and I was tempted to add a dash of nutmeg to it, but everyone who had a spoon in the pot said to leave it alone. I know when I am outvoted, and truth be told, it didn’t need it. (Although, I may try it again with this addition another time.)
It is important to only salt after you’ve used the broth and the Parmesan as they both tend to be rather salty already and you don’t want to overdo it!
This was a super fast and very easy, one pot recipe-making for minimal fuss and a quick clean up. Everyone really enjoyed it too, an empty crock and some spoons was all that was left. I can easily see myself making this again.
While I cannot share the actual recipe, you can (and should!) buy the book and cook along with us. It’s great fun! Every Friday we make a new recipe. Looking forward to next weeks! For details and to see how others are recreating the dishes from this awesome book, check out the FFWD site.
Buy the book:
You picked an excellent week to join us again! So good to see you back!
Hi Renee!
Welcome back to FFwD! I joined the group late last year and love it! I have never made macaroni and cheese and love that this recipe is stovetop cooking – no baking involved! I will certainly make this again x 2!
Hi Renee!! Your “risotto” looks fab! 🙂 Welcome back! I’m just getting back in the swing of FFWD too from a three month “vacation…” LOL! Have a great weekend!
As a lightbulb member of FFwD, I understand when life and work and so many things get too hectic for blogging. You definitely aced this one and I love your baking dish.
Happy New Year Renee…great to meet you. Hope to be seeing more of you in the year to come.
A perfect way to get started again. This was so simple and easy to make and Hubby and I both loved it. Happy New Year.
I’m a lightbulb member of FFWD like Adriana – life sometimes gets in the way of blogging, even when I’ve cooked along. Love your photos. This was a great one to start the year with.
Good to see you back! This is a perfect dish to return to…creamy, luscious and easy! Happy New Year!
Welcome back, from another lapsed Dorista! 😉 Lovely job with this one – it looks so nice and creamy!
This was a delicious dish. Yours looks yummy. Happy New Year and I look forward to reading your posts.
Welcome back on board Renee. I have trouble keeping up on a weekly basis too – life gets in the way. Your pasta looks great. Happy New Year!
Welcome back, Renee. Lots of our of country travel sounds like fun. This was a good one to come back on. So delicious! I like the sound of your potatoes gratin. Happy New Year!
So happy that you picked this week to make a recipe with us. I too have had long spans without keeping up. It is very true, life does get in the way. BUT, what a good way to start back! I loved this one too – using a bit of wine and truffle salt. Happy New Year!
Hi Renee! Welcome back! I decided to return to blogging and the group as well and this was the best recipe to ease me into the cooking action! Easy and so, so delicious!
Hi Renee – so good to see you back. We tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to post on Fridays but really, it is the rare few of us that actually hit the post each week. If I didn’t sign on to record Nana’s long ahead completed recipes, I would have missed a lot more myself 🙂 That said, you really nailed it with your results and I can’t believe what lovely photos you got out of this yummy but not particularly photogenic dish. Great job !!!
HI Renee, I accidentally found your blog through twitter, and I’m glad I did, it seems gorgeous. What a great recipe, I love making risotto and for some reason hadn’t thought of substituting it with pasta. Happy New Year!
Welcome back!
This was a lovely dish to jump back in with.
I did enjoy reading about your adventures over the year, though 🙂
Welcome back! This was a great recipe for you to ease back in with – easy and delicious!
Life certainly happens but it is nice to see you back with the gang! And this looks fab.
I’m glad you enjoyed this and that you’re back cooking with the group. Life so often gets in the way of things! Best of luck with all of your goals for the new year.