Risotto pancakes by Mike from the Potluck Dinner

Risotto Pancakes
Olive oil (or Butter, olive oil is my preference)
1 medium onion chopped
2½ cups Arborio rice (use Spanish or Italian, not Texas or California)
¾ cup white vermouth or white wine
6 cup chicken or veal broth
Pinch saffron
Pepper to taste
1 ½ cups grated cheese parmesan or similar cheese


· Heat chicken broth to almost boiling and keep warm
· Heat olive oil in heavy sauce pan and sauté onion until translucent, do not brown ( about 8 minutes)
· Add rice and heat for about a minute or two until the center of the grains become clear
· Add vermouth and cook at low heat until all wine has evaporated (keep heat low to medium low and stir)
· Add 1 or 2 ladles of chicken broth and stir until all is absorbed (there will be a lot of stirring in this receipt)
· Add saffron (stir)
· Continue to add chicken broth a ladle at a time and stir until the rice is cooked (about 25 minutes)
o The idea is to have the rice absorb the broth, not to boil the rice in the broth
o After the rice has been cooking for at least 20 minutes check frequently for doneness
§ It will become creamy, at this point you know you are getting close
· The rice goes from hard to al dente quickly
· When the rice is done pepper to taste

o Do not add salt as the cheese will impart quite a bit of salt flavor
· Add cheese and heat until well melted

· This makes enough risotto for 6-8 people
At this point it is Classic Risotto Milanese can be served as a first course or side dish to the entrée, if not

· Allow to cool

To make the pancakes:
You need,
One egg
Olive oil
Grated cheese

· Add one egg and mix thoroughly

· Portion out in 1/3 cup dollops (allow 2 per person)
· Heat electric skillet to 350° or medium heat on the stove (nonstick pan works best)

· Add dollops to hot pan and flatten to desired thickness or place dollops on wax paper and cover with a second sheet and flatten to a suitable size
· Cook for about 5 minutes per side or until it reaches the desired level of brownness
· Just prior to when the pancake is done add a good size pinch of cheese and allow to melt
· At this point the pancakes can be served or placed in a warming oven until needed

Enjoy, Mike