Creamy Risotto With Crab And Lemon Zest
Creamy risotto with crab and lemon zest is a delicious, elegant, and easy-to-make dish that will surely impress your guests. This dish is perfect for a dinner party or a special occasion, and it can also be a simple and quick weeknight meal. It’s creamy, savory, and bursting with the flavors of tender crab meat and fresh lemon zest.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Arborio or Carnaroli rice
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 oz. crab meat, picked clean of shell and cartilage
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat the chicken broth in a saucepan and keep it warm over low heat.
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the rice and stir with a wooden spoon until it is coated with the oil and the rice grains turn slightly opaque, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the white wine and stir until it is completely absorbed by the rice.
- Add a ladleful of warm broth to the rice, and stir continuously until it is absorbed. Repeat this process, adding one ladleful of broth at a time, and stirring continuously, until the rice is cooked al dente, about 18-20 minutes.
- Stir in the butter, Parmesan cheese, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Gently fold in the crab meat, being careful not to break it up too much. Cook until the crab is heated through, about 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and lemon zest, if desired.
Variations
There are many variations of risotto that you can try. Here are some ideas:
- Mushroom and truffle risotto – add sautéed mushrooms and a drizzle of truffle oil at the end.
- Butternut squash risotto – add roasted butternut squash and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Spinach and feta risotto – add sautéed spinach and crumbled feta cheese.
- Tomato and basil risotto – add diced tomatoes and fresh basil.
Conclusion
Creamy risotto with crab and lemon zest is a versatile, flavorful, and comforting dish that you can enjoy on any occasion. This dish is simple to make, and it can be customized to your liking with different add-ins and variations. So, the next time you are craving something rich and satisfying, give this creamy risotto with crab and lemon zest a try!
