A delightfully different risotto! Enjoy Roasted Beet Risotto with Asiago & Thyme for a special night in.
Well this Roasted Beet Risotto with Asiago & Thyme makes me blush. I’ve always loved a classic well made risotto but the addition of peppery roasted beets elevates this dish to the next level. This has taken its rightful place as the queen of all fall risottos. Consider upping your risotto game and trying this recipe!
Risotto is often overlooked and dismissed for being a high maintenance dish to make at home and I can understand why people feel that way. It’s not a dish you can make ahead or leave alone on the stove until you’re ready to eat. It requires some love, attention and patience but the process is incredibly simple. I promise!
Roasted beets are great for the detoxification process and helping to purify your blood and your liver. Your body thanks you!
Attention mamas to be! Beets contain B vitamin folate which helps reduce the risk of birth defects.
It’s one of those dishes you make with or for people you’re really comfortable with. I mean the friends and family you don’t feel the need to entertain. This is one of those dishes where you crack open a couple bottles of wine and keep the party in the kitchen while you cook. Totally low-key and casual cooking.
Eating beets and drinking beet juice can help to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. I like to sprinkle a liberal amount of black pepper on beets before roasting.
Fresh thyme lends a nice flavor to this dish
Tip! I add whole thyme springs to my risotto. It’s much easier and saves me a few minutes. Just don’t forget to remove the stems before serving!
I’ll admit I’ve been that girl who decided to make a risotto when having an old friend and his new girlfriend over for dinner. Long story short; it wasn’t the smartest idea I’ve ever had. I ended up being in the kitchen for a solid 40 minutes and didn’t really get enough of an opportunity to get to know her. She probably felt slightly awkward and I can’t blame her. That was one of my more recent hostessing fails but it is what it is. Lesson learned! Risotto is reserved for a very small group of my nearest and dearest. If I invite you over and I’m making risotto, you know how special you are to me!
Fall roasted beet goodness!!
This dish really comes together when you stir in the roasted beets, butter and asiago cheese. A totally decadent, hearty, warm and rich dish!
- 3 medium beets, red or golden
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1¼ cup arborio rice
- ½ cup of a dry white wine you like to drink
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- ½ cup finely grated asiago cheese
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- salt + pepper to taste
- garnish with a sprinkle of fresh thyme
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash beets, trim the stems, and peel skin using a vegetable peeler. Cut beet into 1½ inch pieces. You can use disposable gloves if you're worried about staining your fingers. Bake beets in the oven for 35-40 minutes, tossing once with spatula halfway through.
- In a small pot bring vegetable broth to a low simmer, covered.
- In a large and heavy saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, stirring often, until golden brown and soft, about 7 minutes.
- Add rice + 3 sprigs thyme; stir to coat. You want rice to look glazed and almost translucent. Stir in wine; cook until reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
- Add ½ cup broth; simmer, stirring, until almost all the liquid is absorbed. Repeat this process by adding vegetable stock ½ cup at a time and stirring until liquid is almost absorbed before adding more. You want the spoon to be able to move across the pan smoothly without having rice sticking to the bottom. This will take about 25 minutes.
- Stir in beets, butter, and Parmesan; season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle with fresh thyme and shaved asiago. Serve immediately.
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