A large, white bowl of risotto boasting creamy grains of rice with flecks of cooked green cabbage and caramelized bits of pancetta. Topped with a dusting of Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, on a simple white background that makes the colors pop.

Hearty Cabbage & Pancetta Risotto

Name: Hearty Cabbage & Pancetta Risotto
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: medium head cabbage, 1 finely sliced; pancetta, 200 grams diced; Arborio rice, 1.5 cups; onion, 1 finely chopped; garlic cloves, 2 minced; white wine, 1/2 cup; chicken stock, 4 cups; Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup grated; parsley, a handful finely chopped; olive oil, 2 tablespoons; unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style Italian

Technique sautéing

Diet Friendly Mediterranean

Daily Recipe: March 07, 2024

Discover our unexpected take on Italian cuisine, infusing cabbage into a delightful risotto. Arborio rice's rich creaminess blends with the slightly sweet, gently cooked cabbage and pancetta's savory crispness, this is a hearty dish that is downright comforting on a chilly day.

Ingredients (for 4)

Medium head cabbage - 1 - finely sliced
Pancetta - 200 grams - diced
Arborio rice - 1.5 cups
Onion - 1 - finely chopped
Garlic cloves - 2 - minced
White wine - 1/2 cup
Chicken stock - 4 cups
Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup - grated
Parsley - a handful - finely chopped
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
Unsalted butter - 3 tablespoons
Salt - to taste
Black pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍳🥓😋

In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced pancetta and sauté until crisp and golden brown and then set it aside.
Step 2 - 🥘🧅🧈

In the same pot, add the butter, onions, and garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
Step 3 - 🍚🥄🔁

Stir in the Arborio rice, ensuring each grain is coated in butter and olive oil.
Step 4 - 🍷🌫️♨️

Pour in the white wine to the pot, stirring it until it evaporates.
Step 5 - 🐔🥣🔄

Begin adding the chicken stock, one cup at a time, stirring continuously. Allow each cup to be absorbed before adding the next.
Step 6 - 🥬🥣🔄

Halfway through adding the stock, stir in the finely sliced cabbage. Continue with the rest of the stock.
Step 7 - 🥓🥘🔄

Once the rice is al dente and the cabbage is cooked, stir in the cooked pancetta.
Step 8 - 🧂🧀🔚

Remove the risotto from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 9 - 🥣🌿😊

Serve the risotto in bowls, garnished with finely chopped parsley for added color and freshness.

Additional

This dish is a perfect platform for variations. You may add chestnuts during the colder months, or switch up the protein to crispy salami. If you're cooking with kids, they can handle the stirring under your supervision - a fun and safe way to introduce them to the joys of cooking!