I made rice pudding the other day, and bought a new box of arborio rice for it. But obviously, because I'm an idiot and I forgot to check my cupboards beforehand, I already had a full box in the kitchen. Risotto was definitely on the cards! You can make an easy homemade risotto in just about any flavour you can think of - this time I made ratatouille risotto, chock-full of veggies.
Risotto is really easy to make. I think it sometimes has a bad reputation for being labour intensive and taking a long time, but really it's pretty straightforward. Sure, it does take a little while to get the rice nice and soft and creamy, but you don't actually have to stir constantly if you have something better to do (it's probably some kind of cooking blasphemy to say that, but really, who's got the time - or stamina - to stir non-stop for 40 minutes? Just stirring every few minutes while you potter around in the kitchen is totally fine).
This ratatouille risotto starts with aubergine (eggplant), courgette (zucchini), mushrooms, and peppers, all cooked up together with a whoops-my-hand-slipped amount of oregano, and plenty of garlic for good measure. I could pretty much just eat the vegetable mixture on its own, but it's even better if you resist long enough to add the rich, tomatoey rice.
I usually add a good handful of grated cheese to my risotto, but continuing with my aim to not always add cheese to everything (just most things), I decided to keep my risotto vegan this time. You can definitely add some cheese if you like, but arborio rice gets nice and creamy on its own anyway, so it's not vital. The veggies, tomato puree and a dollop of pesto make this ratatouille risotto plenty rich enough without it.
Now to find a way to use up the other seven boxes of arborio rice that I almost certainly have in my kitchen cupboards...
Ratatouille risotto
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Print Pin CommentIngredients
- 2 tablespoon oil, divided
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 small aubergine (eggplant), cut into 1cm dice
- 1 bell pepper, diced (I used orange)
- 1 medium courgette (zucchini), cut into 1cm dice
- 4 medium mushrooms, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 250 g (~ 1 ¼ cups) arborio rice
- 1 litre (~ 4 cups) vegetable stock
- 3 tablespoon tomato puree
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon basil pesto (use vegan pesto if needed)
- To serve: fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large frying pan or wok, and add the diced onion, aubergine, pepper, courgette and mushrooms. Cook over a medium heat for around 10 minutes, stirring regularly, until the vegetables are soft and just starting to turn golden. Add the minced garlic and dried oregano, and cook for a couple more minutes.
- Remove the vegetables from the pan, and set aside. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the same pan, and add the arborio rice (alternatively, if you prefer, you can use a separate pan for the rice and cook both simultaneously).
- Cook the rice in the oil for a minute or two over a medium-low heat, stirring constantly, then add a little of the vegetable stock. Stirring regularly, allow the rice to absorb most of the excess liquid. Continue adding the stock a little at a time, allowing any excess to be absorbed each time before adding more. When you've used all the stock and the rice is soft, add the tomato puree, balsamic vinegar, and basil pesto, and mix well. Return the cooked vegetables to the pan, and mix well to combine.
- Serve topped with fresh basil if desired.
Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.
Note: Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on exactly what ingredients you choose. Information above is for ¼ of the recipe.
Leftover risotto? Use it to make risotto stuffed peppers!
Nicki Escudero says
Hi, Becca,
I made this last night. Absolutely delicious, as usual! Thanks for the great recipes! Nicki
Becca @ Easy Cheesy Vegetarian says
Thank you lovely! :)
Erica says
I just wanted to clarify what you mean by 'tomato puree'. Tomato paste? Tomato sauce from a can that has additional spices? Pomi brand tomato sauce from a carton that is nothing but tomatoes (no spices) which I conveniently have in my fridge? I do appreciate your help!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Hi Erica :) I'm fairly sure that what we call tomato puree in the UK is the same as your tomato paste in the US - it comes in a tube or a small can, and is a fairly thick, rich tomato paste. It just serves to make the sauce a little richer :) Hope that helps!
Kat says
I absolutely loved this and I can’t wait to make it again! I actually forgot to put the onion in but it still tasted amazing. Thanks.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Thanks Kat! Really glad you enjoyed it :)
Gretty Loir says
Its yummy :) <3 This looks SO good girl! I can't wait to try this. I've been meaning to tell you I really like your blog layout. Cheers! Dawn
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Thank you! :)
Angrboda says
I had this one planned for Monday this week, but it got pushed to today due to illness. You just don't want to deal with something you haven't made before when poorly, but I ran out of ways to avoid it, especially since I had already bought all the things. In the end I skipped the risotto bit (couldn't face all that pot-minding) and just cooked a similar portion regular basmati instead. Tipped it in with the tomato, pesto and vinegar and gave it a good heat through. Turned out rather dryer than the risotto would have been so I added a splash of coffee cream (not ideal, but what I had) which helped, and all in all it turned out a good and hearty meal anyway. I'll definitely have to cook it the correct way next time, but it was also rather pleasant to find something quick and easy for times such as these. Especially if you can get someone to help with the chopping. :)
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Glad you managed to find a way to make it work for you! :)
Annabel says
I love risotto! It's one of my go-to recipes when we're travelling in our motor home, as it can be made in one pot, so less washing-up. I love ratatouille, too, so this sounds just about perfect.
Lauren says
I would probably be the one stirring for 40 mins while listening to the radio and daydreaming... if the kids would leave me to it long enough!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Haha oh definitely, it can be a great way to zone out if you have the time :)
Laura says
This sounds like exactly the sort of recipe I love - one that looks incredibly comforting but is actually pretty healthy. I'm making it for sure the next time I fancy rice.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
this sounds like a total comforting meal with veggies - perfect for dinner!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
Absolutely - I can feel less guilty about all the comfort food when it's chock-full of veggies :D
Helen Kennedy says
I don't stir my risottos the whole time they're cooking either. It seems to work fine. I don't put cheese in either, I usualky forget!
Have you checked out Delia's oven baked mushroom risotto? I think it's in the WintervCooking book.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
I'm just too lazy to stir continually! It works just fine. I also add a whole stock cube at the start of the cooking process, and then just add more water straight from the kettle as I'm going along - much easier than keeping a jug of hot stock on hand! I haven't seen Delia's mushroom risotto but I do love an oven baked version!
Helen Kennedy says
I use either Swiss Bouillon or Kallo stock powder with a pinch of saffron. I have a pan of stock simmering next to the risotto pan. I currently prefer the Kallo.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
That's what I used to do, but I found it much easier to add water straight from the kettle. Anything for an easy life ;)