Risotto is typically made on the stove top with a fair amount of stirring to release the starch from the grains of rice. It can also be baked in a casserole, though it will be less creamy because less starch is released. Cooking it in a wood-fired oven adds a smoky flavor. The asparagus and Swiss chard are perfect additions in spring. You can use any of your favorite seasonal greens in their place. Diced butternut squash or yellow beets are terrific here too, as are the traditional mushrooms.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 6 as a side dish
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Prepare a medium heat fire (375°F) in a wood-fired oven or cooker.
Step 2
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a 6-quart Dutch oven or casserole dish. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the rice, stirring to coat with the oil. Stir in the stock, wine, chard leaves and stems, asparagus, nutmeg, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Place in the oven, uncovered, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 5 minutes, then stir in half of the cheese and smooth the top. Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese and cover tightly with aluminum foil.
Step 3
Place the baking dish back on the floor of the oven near the center. Bake until the rice is cooked through and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 20 minutes. The rice should be moist but not soupy. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to create a beautiful golden crust and to add smoky flavor.
Step 4
Serve immediately.
