Love is in the air this month as we celebrate February the 14th. With restaurants dishing out special menus for two to celebrate the occasion and seats booking out fast as the day draws closer, why not celebrate an intimate Valentine’s Day in the comfort of your home? Surprise your partner with a romantic dinner at home with this recipe for Acquerello Risotto with lemon, champagne and red prawns.
Recipe: Acquerello Risotto, Lemon, Champagne and Mazara Del Vallo Red Prawns
(Serves 2)
“This special dish is infused with the flavour of romance of champagne, perfectly paired with the sweet note of love with red prawns.”
– Chef Niccoló Ferrazzani Dolce Vita at Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
Ingredients
- 1.5 litres vegetable stock
- 100g Acquerello rice
- ½ white onion
- 100g parmesan cheese
- 50g butter
- 150ml champagne
- 1 lemon, juice and zest
- 20ml olive oil
- 120ml white wine
- 100g red prawns
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
#1 Shell and clean the red prawns and leave the heads aside. Cut the red prawns into small pieces and marinate with a bit of salt and pepper, olive oil and lemon zest.
#2 In a small pot, toast the prawn heads, then add vegetable stock and leave to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the prawn heads and blend the stock.
#3 Dice the white onion and braise it in a casserole with a bit of olive oil. Add the rice and toast for a few seconds on medium heat.
#4 Add a glass of white wine to the rice and let it evaporate completely, then add vegetable stock (around three times the weight of rice). Cook the rice until “al dente” for 18 minutes while adding champagne slowly, keeping aside 100ml.
#5 Move the casserole off the heat and whip the risotto with butter, parmesan cheese, lemon zest and remaining champagne. Adjust the flavour with salt and black pepper.
#6 To serve, lay down one scoop of risotto in a circular shape on a flat large plate. Place the marinated red prawns on top and drizzle the risotto with the sauce previously prepared using the prawn heads.
Like this recipe for Acquerello risotto with prawns? See more great recipes and Valentine’s Day dining ideas in our Wine & Dine section!
