Smart Recipes with Umami

Tomato Risotto

  • UMAMI at HOME

This rich risotto using home-made semi-dried tomato is from Luca Fantin, Executive Chef of Michelin-starred Il Ristorante Bulgari in Tokyo. Drying or cooking concentrates the Umami in tomato. The two kinds of cheese and vegetable stock are also good Umami ingredients. ⠀

<Ingredients>⠀
Serves 2⠀

60g risotto rice (Carnaroli is the best)⠀
30g parmesan cheese⠀
30g fresh mozzarella cheese⠀
5g butter⠀
3 large tomatoes ⠀
4-5 basil leaves⠀
1 tbsp white wine⠀
50ml vegetable stock⠀
olive oil⠀
salt⠀

<Method>⠀

1. Heat the oven to 150C.⠀

2. Slice the tomato horizontally. Sprinkle with salt and olive oil, scatter with 2-3 torn basil leaves. Roast for 1 hour. ⠀

3. Put the roasted tomato into a food processor and make it into a smooth paste.⠀

4. Melt butter in a pan and saut the rice. ⠀

5. When the rice is warmed, add salt. Stir until the rice is translucent. ⠀

6. Add white wine to the rice. Stir until the alcohol has evaporated. Add vegetable stock.⠀

7. Cook the rice for 12 minutes - cook longer if you prefer softer rice.⠀

8. Add 2 tbsp of the tomato paste and check the taste. The risotto should not be too watery at this stage.⠀

9. Mix parmesan cheese and a glug of olive oil. Stir well until the risotto looks creamy.⠀

10. Serve with bite-sized mozzarella cheese and remaining basil leaves on top. Drizzle with more olive oil and a pinch of salt.⠀