(picture courtesy of Google images)
I went out with some friends from work for lunch earlier this week. It was a little restaurant on a relatively quiet corner in Düsseldorf. And amidst the firetruck sirens and honking cars we sat outside to enjoy the beautiful sunny weather Germany has been experiencing.
I don't know if it was the atmosphere of the quaint surroundings, the company of friends, or the 15C and sunny weather, but I ate the most wonderful, flavourful meal I have had in a long time. Birnen Risotto mit Rucola und geriebener Parmesankäse. For my English friends: Pear Risotto with Arugula and grated Parmesan. Wow. I am still trying to find the words to describe how yummy it was.
For those of you who don't know what risotto is..., it is essentially short-grained rice that is toasted and slowly simmered (not boiled) with broth and white wine. The alcohol content is evaporated, leaving a nice flavour behind. So far, I have only made my own risotto...my favourite is asparagus with Camembert. But now, I think that I have a new recipe to try! Of course, no risotto recipe is ever the same, but I have found a pear risotto recipe similar to that I ate. It is
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Pasta_Rice_Main/RisottoPear.htm
if you are interested in cooking up a delightful meal. Enjoy!
Perhaps this experience was so amazing because I simply like risotto and have never eaten it in a restaurant before... Regardless, I have to thank Gordon Ramsay and "Hell's Kitchen" for introducing the amazing dish of risotto to me. :D Mmmm.....
