Autumn is here in London, we have been super lucky with the weather this week, it has been sunny and crisp cold – perfect for me to find an Autumnal dinner for us. I chose a Jamie Oliver recipe from his Jamie’s Kitchen book which my Mum has. Roast Squash, Pancetta and Chestnut Risotto. It is a little faffy to cook but well worth it – I have simplified the recipe a little here to make it easier to write down and follow.
Serves 4
1 Squash – cut into chunks, save the seeds
2 dried chillies – diced (1tbsp dried chilli will also work)
1tbsp crushed coriander seeds
Salt & Pepper
12 slices pancetta
100g Chestnuts – diced
1 handful Sage leaves – sliced
1 Onion – diced
2 Cloves Garlic – diced
300g Risotto Rice
2 tbsp butter
1l Vegetable Stock –keep heated
60g Parmesan
Coat the squash chunks in the coriander seeds and chilli with some olive oil and pop into the oven at 200 degrees to roast for 30 minutes. You can keep the skin on as everything gets mushed up at the end. Meanwhile start to make the risotto by slowly frying the onion and garlic in some butter until softened (usually takes 10 minutes or so). Add the rice and stir, when the rice begins to turn translucent add in a little of the stock with some salt and pepper. Gradually top up the stock each time the liquid starts to be absorbed.
Whilst multi-tasking and keeping an eye on the squash and the risotto, layer the pancetta on a baking tray and scatter over the chestnuts, sage, seeds and a little olive oil. Pop these in the oven until the pancetta is cooked through and crispy – this shouldn’t take any more than 15 minutes.
After 30 minutes the rice should be cooked through at which point stir the parmesan through and reduce the heat.
Ok – so now to assemble everything. Take the squash out of the oven and chop up so its chunky and mushy – add this to the risotto and stir through – season to taste. Spoon this into a lovely bowl and then top with the crispy, fragrant pancetta, chestnut and sage mix.
Enjoy!
thegreedypiglet 