We don’t tend to eat risotto very often now as it’s time consuming and I never seem to have much of that spare anymore, but sometimes I just fancy it and like to add different ingredients for a change. We had a butternut squash in our veg box this week so I decided to add that. Of course you could also make it without chicken, I only added it in the end because hubby is a fuss pants!


Ingredients (serves 2-3)

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1/2 a butternut squash, peeled and chopped into bite sized chunks
• 8 (approx.) large mushrooms , halved (I used regular mushrooms as it’s what I had in but you could use any variety)
• 1 chicken breast, diced
• 1 litre of stock (I used vegetable, you could use chicken)
• 1 tbsp oil (or a few sprays of Fry Light)
• 175 g arborio rice
• thyme, to taste (or you could use sage, this was what I had in)

Method

• Preheat your oven to gas 7/220C/425F. Place your squash in a deep oven tray and coat with oil, then roast for around 30 minutes until soft on the inside and browned on the outside.
• In a heated pan, fry the onion & garlic on a medium heat until soft, and brown the chicken.
• Add the rice and mix with the onion, garlic & chicken.
• Gradually add the stock, mixing well each time. Let the mixture simmer and when the stock has been absorbed, add some more.
• When you are nearly out of stock, add the mushrooms. (I add them near the end so they don’t overcook). Also add the thyme and cooked butternut squash.
• The risotto will be ready when the rice is tender. If it isn’t quite cooked once all the stock is used then just add a little water until it is.
• Serve and enjoy!