Il Cucinologo
EN

Risotto with Peppers and Shrimp

17/11/2023

Risotto with peppers and shrimp is a dish that combines the flavors of the sea and the land in a harmonious balance. The sweetness of the peppers pairs perfectly with the delicate taste of the shrimp. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 320 g Carnaroli or Arborio rice
  • 400 g cleaned shrimp
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 yellow bell pepper
  • 1 small shallot
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 200 ml dry white wine
  • 1 l hot fish stock
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Butter (about 30 g)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Preparation

  1. Start by cutting the peppers into strips or cubes after cleaning them and removing the seeds and inner white parts.
  2. In a pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the finely chopped shallot. Add the clove of garlic.
  3. Add the peppers and let them cook for about 10 minutes or until softened. If desired, at the end of cooking you can blend part of the peppers to make a cream to add to the risotto.
  4. In a separate pan, cook the shrimp with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a clove of garlic, lightly seasoning with salt. Deglaze with a splash of white wine and cook for a few minutes. Then set them aside.
  5. In a pot, toast the rice with a drizzle of oil until it becomes translucent. Deglaze with the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
  6. Begin adding the hot stock a little at a time, stirring continuously and allowing the rice to absorb the liquid before adding more stock.
  7. Halfway through cooking, add the peppers (except the part you blended, which you will add toward the end).
  8. When the rice is almost al dente, add the shrimp and the pepper cream. Adjust salt and pepper.
  9. Finish the risotto with butter and, if you like, the grated lemon zest for a fresh, aromatic note.
  10. Let the risotto rest for a minute before serving, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Trivia

Risotto is one of the most representative dishes of Italian cuisine and can be prepared in countless variations. According to Italian tradition, the final mantecatura with butter is essential to give the risotto its characteristic creaminess.

To make the dish even more connected to Italian tradition, you might consider adding a touch of grated pecorino before serving, which pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the peppers and the freshness of the shrimp.