Well, whaddaya know? I managed a post sooner than 10 days! I’m trying. I just need some organisation and an urge to actually cook and motivation to take photos rather than just gobble the food down. It really is hard sometimes to cook and spontaneously take photos. I never really cook for just the blog, I cook for the family and we always eat it after all the photos have been taken. However, there’s just no time sometimes and it seems like I will have to schedule blog cooking!
Do any of you cook for your blogs specifically? I know sometimes I really want to try a new recipe so those days are always planned and probably the most organised!
I have changed my photography area around a bit and moved almost everything into the kitchen and dining room. It has made it easier to shoot as I cook. My photography has always been quite minimalistic; I don’t use too many props or over style so this has made it even easier. At the graduation party, we pushed our huge 10 seat table back against the wall to do buffet style food and to make more room in our dining room. We’ve left it like that; I like the extra room and it still seats 6 of us for dinner. The extra room allows for my tripod and plenty of room to move and shoot. This has made my life a little easier and a bit more organised!
The children are out of school and I don’t think I’ve seen a couple of them since last week! The new graduate sleeps in, gets up, showers and leaves. I don’t see her till the next morning, where she proceeds to repeat the previous day. The 14 year old has become a gypsy, and only turns up once a week to get her allowance. Laith is the only one keeping me company at home. I’m not good company either since I’m busy with work related menus, recipe testing or reading manuals and always have my head buried in my iPad, my computer or in a bag of flour. He’s really good at keeping himself entertained.
So, the other day I was tagged by a very sweet blogger and though I don’t do all these award type things, I did want to thank her for thinking of me and giving me the Liebster Award. I didn’t realise that award was still making the rounds! She asked me so nicely to answer the questions she posted that how could I refuse? So, just for you, Habiba, here are my answers to your questions and I will tag a few of my blogger friends as well.
Where are you answering these questions from right now? I’m on my Mac in my bedroom in Westminster, Colorado. It has finally stopped raining and turned out to be a beautiful day.
Where did you go on your last holiday? Last holiday was the kids half term/spring break so we headed off to Houston, Texas to see my dad and brothers. My sister joined us from Columbus and many aunts were visiting from overseas so it was a nice reunion.
What’s your favourite book? I have so many! I love British classics and am finally reading some American classics. My favourite probably has to be Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Favourite movie? Once again, too many! Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Midnight in Paris but for a sappy love story, I adore Bridges of Madison County with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep
Did you go to university, and if so, what did you study? Now, this question is a bit of a sore spot with me. I sat my A levels and accepted an offer to Imperial College of Science and Technology (and Medicine now, and also happens to be #3 in the top colleges in the world) At the same time, my parents decided the move to America. Being Indian parents, there was no way in hell they were leaving me behind. I had no choice but to say bye to my dream of studying engineering at one of the most prestigious research colleges in the world. Am I resentful, a little. I try not to think like that but sometimes, the regret is too much. As a result of their decision and the stress of moving countries while studying, I did quite poorly in my exams, so the dream was shot anyway. I did start college classes here and got as far as two years, still in engineering but ended up getting married and kids came along very soon. I also went back to school after 3 kids and 10 years later, aced my classes too, I might add, but it was impossible to continue with everything at home and work. I will get back and finish one of these days! That’s a promise to myself 🙂
Dream job? Hmmm…..back in the day I would say it would be an engineering or science research. Some would say since I write a food blog, and am so much into food, I am doing close to my dream job now. Getting a chance to use the newest technology in high end home appliances, to be able to cook, demo and meet new people is quite a fun job. I do enjoy my job but it’s so funny that it’s something that I would never have thought of doing when I was younger. Anything that remotely was thought of as a “woman’s job” was something I had no interest in! And here I am!
Favourite fruit? Citrus and berries, though there is nothing better than a perfectly ripe, local, peach from Colorado’s Western Slopes.
Which would you pick: cookies and milk, or cookies n’ cream ice-cream? Coffee and cookies maybe but not milk! I’ll take ice cream, but plain vanilla!
Apple or Android? Apple all the way! Done Android and Windows, not a fan
Batman or Superman? Batman, because he’s just a very rich man with a lot of fancy toys. Batman is actually my favourite superhero 🙂
What’s the last thing you searched for on Google? Ozone therapy (for my RA)
So, there you have it. I’d like to thank Habiba from EatWriteBe for my award. I’d like to pass this award onto a few bloggers and you guys don’t have to do it, but I wanted to let you know I appreciate your support, the stories you share with us and for just being awesome people!
The people behind these blogs are more than just bloggers, they are my friends. Through our blogs and our comments and thanks to Facebook, we stay connected, talk and laugh just like we were in the same city. They are always the first to comment when I write a new post and are always there whether I write 4 times a month or barely once every two months. Thank you!!
Onto this recipe, it’s delicious! This was also a dinner from vegetarian week a couple of weeks ago and it is one of my favourite vegetarian dinners. Risotto in all forms is my weakness. I try to make risottos often since you can make them vegetarian, they are gluten free and I love them as does my eldest. Makes one’s life easier.
This is an all in one dish, the vegetables are incorporated into the risotto and you can have it straight up or with a fresh salad. I like a bit of crunch so I like to serve mine with a cucumber and red onion salsa on top, or whatever crunchy thing I have in the fridge.
I also like to use brown rice in my risotto. I buy the short grain brown rice and though it doesn’t get as creamy as regular white risotto, it’s still pretty gooey and satisfying. I make my brown rice risotto in my pressure cooker and do away with the stirring and pouring. 20 minutes in the pressure cooker is all it takes (time will depend on your cooker instructions).
Rating
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8 servings
- 8 oz/225g mushrooms, sliced
- 1 bunch chard or 455g, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cups/455g brown rice, short grain
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tomato, large, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cups broth, good quality vegetable or chicken
- 1 cup water
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon juice, a squirt
- Start by sautéing the red chard and mushrooms.
- In a large sauce or fry pan, add the butter and a tablespoon of oil.
- Add the chopped garlic and cook a minute.
- Add the sliced mushrooms.
- Sauté the mushrooms until they release their water and begin to brown.
- As they begin to brown, add the chopped red chard stems, cook for a bit and then add the leaves.
- Cook until the leaves are wilted, the stems ate softened and most of the liquid has evaporated.
- Add the pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper.
- Keep the sautéed vegetables aside while you cook the risotto.
- In a pressure cooker, add the 2 tablespoons of oil on medium high heat.
- Sauté the onions until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and cook a little to get the raw taste out.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook about 2 minutes to soften.
- Add the risotto or brown rice and coat with the oil and seasonings.
- Add 1½ teaspoons of salt and a few grindings of pepper to the rice.
- Add the broth and the water.
- Bring up to a boil and put the pressure cooker cover on.
- Once the cooker reaches pressure and there's a steady steam, lower the heat to a low setting, and set the timer for 20 minutes.
- Check with your manufacturer's instructions and cook accordingly.
- I have a Fagor pressure cooker, a pretty simple one and this works for me.
- If you are cooking it the traditional way, and using brown rice, it will take longer and you may need more water or broth as the risotto cooks.
- Use hot broth and water.
- Pour in half of the liquid and let it simmer.
- Stir occasionally but you don't have to stir constantly.
- Once the liquid has absorbed, add the rest and continue cooking until the risotto is done.
- You may need to add more broth/water if the rice is still hard.
- Continue cooking until done and the rice is creamy.
- Stir in more water or broth if it's too dry.
- Add the sautéed red chard and mushrooms and mix well.
- Add as much Parmesan cheese as you like!
- I add about ½ cup to the cooker and mix till creamy.
- A squirt of lemon brightens all the flavours.
- Serve in bowls with crunchy red onions or cucumbers on top.
Ok, so this post got away from me, it’s a tad long but it seems like it’s feast or famine with me 🙂
Hope you’re all having a good week so far!
Have a good one.
This dish sounds so warm and comforting! I love how healthy it is too!
Mary Frances recently posted..Pork Chops, Peaches and Pet Peeves
Thank you Mary Frances! It really is quite delicious!
wow! I’ve never tried one! Looks so yummy! Hope you have a great week!
marcela recently posted..Owsiane Muffiny z Truskawkami (Wegańskie)
Thank you, Marcela!!
Love the creativity of your post! Sounds delicious!
I never cook for my blog. I blog about what I make. But I always find that so many meals I never get a chance to photograph because of timing. I would have to cook really early to get a chance to take a picture.
Thank you, Asiya! I agree, the timing really interferes with everything. I just can’t cook in the morning, and by the evening, the light is just blah. But, I may have to start cooking for the blog! At least it will be more inventive for the family
How nice to discover your lovely blog. I love your photos, your tasty recipes, your writing. Thank you for visiting and be sure I’ll come back.
Have a lovely day!
marie recently posted..Mon blog, mon petit coin de paradis!
Thank you, Marie! I appreciate you stopping by and for the lovely comment. I’ll be back to read yours too, in French and English
wow, simply damn delicious!!!
i think my homemade Spanish chorizo will be suit for this recipe too
Dedy@Dentist Chef recently posted..Mushrooms Crusted Matsusaka Wagyu Beef Sous Vide Steak with Porcini Mushrooms Infused Butter
Thank you, Dedy! I bet your chorizo would be fantastic in this!
I agree with there being no time to post a blog post! I am only just finishing my crazy busy months at work, so it will be nice to have a blogging routine in the summer 🙂
This risotto looks amazing! I have never actually tried risotto, but it is definitely on my to-make list!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness recently posted..5 Minute Apple Crisp for One
Oh you must!! If you like rice and creamy things, you’ll love risotto!! I hope you give it a try soon!
It’s always nice to get to know a fellow blogger friend. Loved reading the post.
The kids seem to be busy..the little ones are always a pleasure to hang out with.
Coming to the risotto, that’s one perfect dish right there. I’ve not cooked risotto in years..don’t know why. I have so many on my todo list, this goes on it too.
Regarding writing recipes for blogging sake, yes, sometimes. But, most of the times it’s what I cook, we love and enjoy is what goes up on the blog.
You enjoy and relax. Have a fun weekend.
I love seeing what you cook Asha! Your dinner always looks amazing and makes me wish I lived in California closer to you! When I get around to visiting my uncle in Sac I will be by to see you too!!!
I hardly see those red chard over here….your risotto looks so comforting and tasty, Nazneen.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Green Smoothie Raspberry Popsicles
Of course you can use any chard, Angie but I like the red for the colour obviously . We get rainbow chard here that’s so beautiful!!
Yes, I totally feel you on the finding it difficult to post recipes thing! My problem is that I make a load of things, and I take the photos and even write down the recipes, but I take so long with editing and uploading the recipe, that all of the recipes and images on my SD card just start piling up!
Anywho, loving your halal version of risotto, I was wondering how you can make it without the addition of white wine.
Oh, I’ve been there and still do that! I have so many raw photos that just take up all my computer memory and I never actually post the recipe! Sigh. We’ll get organised one day!!
so yummy! This risotto sounds perfect!
marcela recently posted..Owsiane Muffiny z Truskawkami (Wegańskie)
Thank you, Marcela!
Love the risotto. I like the sound of your dining table up against the wall to create more space. I’m so sorry to hear you weren’t able to do the one thing you always wanted to do. What bad timing! I do hope you are able to finish your degree one day – you will get so much satisfaction from finishing and achieving a lifelong goal. Thank you also for the nomination and for saying I am more than a blogger, I’m a friend. I consider your a friend as well – my friend across the miles! xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..In My Kitchen, June 2015
You are the best, Nazneen! Thanks for the nomination. Like some others, I might not get to it. Big Secrete (spoiler alert): due to my travel and crazy work schedule, I am gone so much of this summer, that I actually have written and photographed all but ONE post through the beginning of September! And for that one post, all I need to do is take the photos. I usually like to be “in the moment,” but I also need to do my job! 🙂
Now to the risotto: just perfect! Beautiful, and with such a great combination of flavors. Love the photos, and wonder what changes you made in your photo area?
Hugs from Tucson (just arrived back late last night), David
David recently posted..Stalking the Wild Doristas
A beautiful rice dish! I so wish I could get chard where I live – of any color. I know it’s not the same, but I use spinach a lot because that’s primarily what I have access to. I’m really sorry about your thwarted university plans. you’re obviously extremely smart, but you also have to be smart to be a great mother! It’s an underappreciated job!!!
mimi recently posted..Je ne sais quoi
I thought we were friends and then you go and put mushrooms in your risotto?! Really?!! I’ll forgive you though because it looks damn fine and I like your way of using brown rice in the pressure cooker. I use pearl barley sometimes too.
I’ve just started cooking for the blog – cooking in the morning and eating it for dinner- otherwise I can’t get myself organised and Rich doesn’t get home til after 8pm so I can’t photos in the evening.
PS Pride and Prejudice is my favourite book of all time too xx
Nancy | Plus Ate Six recently posted..{In My Hood} The weather has been perfect
A healthy yet comforting dish made from brown rice and delicious vegetables. This is the type of dish I have been craving lately — since I’ve been trying to eat healthier meals.
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Instant Breakfast Avocado Smoothie
i always enjoy reading about other bloggers, thank you for sharing more about you..and risotto looks wonderful, such a unique combo.
dixya | food, pleasure, and health recently posted..Masala Papad with Black Bean Salad
Aw, thanks for the award! I doubt if I’ll ever get around to actually answering the questions, but I appreciate it! Thanks. 🙂 And thanks for such a great recipe! Love risotto. And we have a whole lot of chard in our garden at the moment. Need I say more?
John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted..The Bijou Cocktail
Nazneen – this risotto has such a gorgeous color to it! The flavors combined must make it taste heavenly!
Also, I love reading the results of awards like these – it’s a nice way to get to know some of my favs even better! 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan recently posted..Almond Turkey Burgers
Thank you, Shashi! I love risotto and mushroom is one of my faves! Yeah, these award questions can be quite enlightening!
I’m with you on those Colorado peaches. And I’m pinning this recipe to my Risotto board.
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Asian Noodles with Ground Pork and Peanut Sauce
Thanks Lea Ann!! Those peaches… I can’t wait!!
Mushroom risotto is my favorite flavours among risottos. The addition of chard certainly makes it more wholesome and tasty.. I am craving this deliciousness all the more on this cold windy night. It was lovely reading about you and am happy to know that you are able to live your dream now:-) Cooking for the blog…yes I do it most of the times because I find it works better for me. Earlier, I was neither able to serve food on time nor do justice to my photos. At times, it means double the effort..but it’s worth it!
Sugar et al. recently posted..3 Simple and Quick Weeknight Dinners With Salmon
Thanks Sonali! I doubt I’m living my dream! I have the opportunity to cook on dream appliances but Daniel Craig still isn’t in my kitchen!!
Thank you Nazneen for nominating me for a Liebster. Imperial College! I’m very impressed that’s an amazing achievement. I think I’d feel a little resentful too at having to give up such an opportunity. But you have a lovely family now and we never really know how things will turn out. I cook specifically for my blog, with the food often going to the Glam 20 Somethings who rent a house down the road. Like you, it’s hard to cook and then photograph and then serve a meal that isn’t cold or congealed. I don’t have another job though, so we all have to do what we can manage, including how frequently we can post. I always enjoy your recipes and thank you for numbering me amongst your friends. GG
Glamorous Glutton recently posted..Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins
Hi GG! All in the past now! How things and ideas change. I didn’t know that you cooked specifically for the blog! I thought you were cooking for the boys and it ended up on the blog. After reading some of the comments, I realise most of you are cooking for the blog! That’s why you guys are so organised 🙂 Thank you my friend!! I think we were each other’s first readers! Special times x