In her most recent book, Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy, the great Italian cook Lidia Bastianich introduces us to various risottos that don’t require the patient long cooking and stirring as you pour hot liquid into the rice little by little. In this simpler version,you simply stir the rice into hot chicken broth along with the embellishment ingredients, and when it all comes to a boil, slap on the lid, and cook at a brisk simmer for about 17 minutes. And it’s done—a whole delicious and satisfying dinner.

　　

Ingredients

2 teaspoons light olive oil

　　1 small shallot, minced

　　3 smallish cremini mushrooms, chopped

　　3 or 4 chestnuts, chopped

　　A splash of white wine

　　1/2–3/4 cup leftover braised veal, cut in small chunks

　　Salt and freshly ground pepper

　　2/3 cup chicken broth or water, plus more if needed

　　1/3 cup short-grain rice, such as Arborio

　　2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

　　

Step 1

Heat the oil in a small, heavy pot, and sauté the shallot and mushrooms for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened. Add the chestnuts,and sauté another minute; then splash in the wine and cook down a little. Add the meat, and salt and pepper to taste, and then pour in the broth. When it comes to a boil, stir in the rice, turn the heat down to a lively simmer, cover, and cook for about 17 minutes. Check and taste. If the rice is just tender and creamy, it is done; if not, add a little more broth and cook another 1–2 minutes. Turn off the heat, and stir in the cheese. Dish up into a warm soup plate.

　　

Variations

Step 2

This is a recipe to play with and vary according to what cooked meat, poultry, or seafood you may have left over and what vegetables you have on hand.

　　The Pleasures of Cooking for One by Judith Jones. Copyright © 2009 by Judith Jones. Published by Knopf. All Rights Reserved.Judith Jones is senior editor and vice president at Alfred A. Knopf. She is the author of The Tenth Muse: My Life in Food and the coauthor with Evan Jones (her late husband) of three books: The Book of Bread; Knead It, Punch It, Bake It!; and The Book of New New England Cookery. She also collaborated with Angus Cameron on The L. L. Bean Game and Fish Cookbook, and has contributed to Vogue, Saveur, and Gourmet magazines. In 2006, she was awarded the James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. She lives in New York City and Vermont.