Butternut Squash Risotto

Any time my son sneezes, he expects me to say, "God bless you." The problem is I do not always hear him. If he is upstairs and sneezes, he will come downstairs and find me. He will ask me, "What do you say?" I'll reply, "What?" He will repeat a little impatiently, "What do you say?" 

It takes me a few seconds and it will dawn on me what he wants so I will reply, "God bless you." Then he will say, "Momma, I sneezed twice." "God bless you again." Sometimes I try to be ahead so when he does this I will add a few "God bless you". He doesn't do this to my husband but only me. I actually think it is really cute!

I wanted a quick meal. Since my husband wasn't eating, I thought this was the perfect recipe. My son even asked for seconds. My youngest daughter said, "What? We are only having rice for supper?" Don't worry she also had a milkshake for dessert.

Butternut Squash Risotto

32oz. chicken broth
1 package frozen butternut squash (about 10 oz.)
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp butter
1 shallot
1 cup Arborio rice
1/2 cup white wine
4 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
salt and pepper for taste

Directions:
Place the chicken broth in a small saucepan to heat.
Microwave the squash in a microwavable safe bowl for 5 minutes.
Stir the squash and set aside.
Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat with the olive oil and butter.
Add the shallot and cook about 4 minutes.
Add the rice to the shallot and stir for about 3 minutes to toast rice.
Stir in the white wine for about a minute.
Add 1/2 cup of the heated chicken broth to the rice and continue to stir until the liquid is absorbed.
Continue to add 1/2 cup of the heated chicken broth until the liquid is absorbed for about 15 minutes.
Stir in the squash into the risotto and continue stirring until the risotto is creamy.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cheese.
Season with salt and pepper.

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.

Did you already know..................
-Risotto is a rice.
-Risotto is originally from Northern Italy.
-During the medieval times, the Arabs introduced rice to Italy.
-Due to the humidity of the Mediterranean, the Italians found rice is a productive crop.