Description
Cajun risotto blends Italian creamy techniques with bold Louisiana spices, creating a harmonious dance of flavors. Creamy arborio rice mingles with andouille sausage, shrimp, and a zesty seasoning blend that promises a culinary adventure you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 250 g (8.8 oz) Arborio rice
- 1 x 400 g (14 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 x 400 g (14 oz) can chopped tomatoes
- 750 ml (3 cups) vegetable stock
Vegetables:
- 1 large red onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon onion granules
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious, deep skillet and warm olive oil over medium temperature, creating a fragrant base for the risotto.
- Introduce diced onion, bell pepper, and celery into the hot oil, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and tender, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, onion granules, and garlic granules across the vegetables, allowing the spices to dance and intensify their flavors for approximately one minute.
- Gently fold Arborio rice into the seasoned vegetable mixture, toasting the grains until they become slightly golden and emit a nutty aroma.
- Pour chopped tomatoes and red kidney beans into the skillet, creating a vibrant, colorful foundation for the risotto.
- Gradually introduce half the vegetable stock, stirring consistently and allowing the liquid to be absorbed slowly while maintaining a gentle simmer.
- Continue adding remaining stock incrementally, stirring frequently to coax out the rice’s creamy texture and ensure even cooking.
- When rice reaches a perfect al dente consistency and the risotto develops a luxurious, velvety appearance, incorporate fresh thyme.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Transfer the fragrant Cajun Risotto to serving dishes, presenting a warm, comforting meal bursting with robust flavors.
Notes
- Precision matters when toasting rice, ensuring each grain becomes a flavor carrier before liquid introduction.
- Layering spices creates depth, with Cajun seasoning transforming ordinary ingredients into a vibrant, memorable dish.
- Slow simmering technique guarantees creamy texture, allowing rice to release starches while absorbing rich vegetable stock’s essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 51 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg