Roasted squash & kale risotto

Name: Roasted squash & kale risotto
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 medium butternut squash, deseeded and cut into small chunks (unpeeled); 1½ tbsp olive oil, for drizzling; 150 g Essential Kale, thick stalks removed; 50 g Essential Unsalted Butter; 1 onion, finely chopped; 2 clove/s garlic, crushed; 200 g arborio risotto rice; 500 ml Knorr GF Chicken Stock Cube; 150 ml white wine, plus 25ml; ½ lemon, juice; 50 g Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated

Roasting the squash separately gives it a lovely caramelised flavour, and allows the risotto to cook evenly. The crispy kale garnish can be skipped if you’re short on time, but it provides a great textural contrast to the soft squash and tender rice.

5 out of 5 stars(2) Rate this recipe

Gluten free

Serves4
CourseMain meal
Prepare20 mins
Cook1 hr
Total time1 hr 20 mins
PlusPreparation time 20 minutes + resting

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1 medium butternut squash, deseeded and cut into small chunks (unpeeled)
1½ tbsp olive oil, for drizzling
150g Essential Kale, thick stalks removed
50g Essential Unsalted Butter
1 onion, finely chopped
2 clove/s garlic, crushed
200g arborio risotto rice
500ml Knorr GF Chicken Stock Cube
150ml white wine, plus 25ml
½ lemon, juice
50g Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. Spread the squash over a large baking tray and drizzle with 1 tbsp oil. Using your hands, coat the squash in the oil. Season, then roast for 40-50 minutes, turning once, until caramelised and soft. Put ¼ of the kale on a separate baking tray, drizzle with the remaining ½ tbsp oil and season. Scrunch the oil into the kale, then roast underneath the squash for 10 minutes, until crispy. Remove and set aside.
Meanwhile, melt 30g butter over a medium heat in a large sauté pan or deep frying pan. Fry the onion, stirring often, for 8-10 minutes, until softened but not coloured. Add the garlic, fry for 2 minutes more until fragrant, then turn the heat up a little, stir in the rice and let it toast for 2-3 minutes. Put the stock into a saucepan with 500ml water, bring to a simmer and keep warm.
Turn the heat to high. When the rice is sizzling, pour in 150ml wine and allow it to reduce completely, stirring constantly. Add the stock a ladleful at a time, stirring frequently. When the stock is almost absorbed, add another ladleful, until you have used ⅔ of the stock.
Add the remaining raw kale to the pan and cook it into the risotto while stirring in the remaining stock. The rice will take 20-25 minutes to cook, until tender with slight bite (you might not need all the stock, or you may need a splash more hot water – every risotto is different). When the rice is ready, remove from the heat. Stir in the remaining 20g butter with the squash, lemon juice and most of the cheese. Season to taste, then cover the pan and leave the risotto to rest for 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 25ml wine, then serve topped with the crispy kale and the remaining cheese.