i agree with what peggy sue is saying - once you have a basic risotto recipe down, u can add whatever u need to use up and its still yummerz!
16. Roast Pumpkin, Sage & Dolcelatte Risotto
(sorry i dont do imperial! - except for when im sewing, oddly)
30g Butter
1 Onion, chopped
1-2 Cloves of Garlic, crushed
300g Risotto Rice
500g Pumpkin, diced
Glug of Olive Oil
Glass of White Wine (optional)
900ml Chicken or Veg Stock
15 leaves of Sage, approx, finely shredded
200g Dolcelatte Cheese, diced
1. Melt the butter in a pan, then add the chopped onion. Sweat til soft then add the garlic.
Meanwhile place the diced pumpkin a roasting tray, coat with a little olive oil and put in a hot oven 180C/GsMk 5 to raost for about 30 mins.
2. Rinse the rice, then add to the pan, stirring to coat evenly in the butter. Cook, stirring for 2-3 mins.
If using the wine, tip this into the pan and bring up the heat a little and cook til the liquid has evaporated. Alternatively, just drink the glass of wine

If not using the wine, start adding the stock to the pan a ladleful a time, until it has all been used. This could take upto half an hour so perhaps you could pour yourself another glass.
3. Once the rice is plump and tender, add the roast pumpkin, dolcelatte and sage. Stir through and season to taste. Serve hot. YUM!
17. Creamy Coconut & Pumpkin Soup
Glug of Olive Oil
Handful Cumin Seeds
1 Large Onion, chopped
1-2 Clove of Garlic, finely chopped
1 kg Pumpkin, diced
2-3 large carrots, chopped
3-4 medium potatoes, diced
1 1/2 pints chicken or veg stock
1 x 400g tin Coconut Milk
Handful chopped fresh corainder
Red Chilli, deseeded and chopped finely (how much or whether you use it at all is up to you!)
1. Heat a couple of glugs of oil in a large pan, then add the chopped onion. Once softened, add the cumin seeds and garlic, stirring to ensure the seeds are coated in oil. Cook for a minute or so.
2. Add all the other chopped vegetables and stirring occasionally, cook for a further 5 minutes or so, then add the stock. Bring to the boil, then simmer with the lid on for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
Remove from the heat and add the coconut milk. Blend til smooth, then add the chilli and coriander. Season to taste and gently bring the heat back up.
Serve with crusty wholemeal bread. YUM!
