03/02/2022
Ingredients
6 large ripe tomatoes
1 bulb of garlic
½ a bunch of fresh thyme , (15g)
olive oil
1.2 litres organic vegetable stock
1 onion
1 bulb of fennel
2 k***s of unsalted butter
450 g Arborio risotto rice
150 ml dry white vermouth
80 g Parmesan cheese
Method
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
With a knife, cut the cores out of the tomatoes, then place cut side down in a snug-fitting baking dish with the whole garlic bulb, and scatter over the thyme sprigs.
Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil, season with sea salt, and roast for 1 hour, or until starting to burst open (the juices will add game-changing flavour later on).
Bring the stock to a simmer. Peel and finely chop the onion and fennel, reserving any herby tops, then place in a large, high-sided pan on a medium heat with 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 k**b of butter.
Cook for 10 minutes, or until softened but not coloured, stirring occasionally, then stir in the rice to toast for 2 minutes. Pour in the vermouth and stir until absorbed.
Add a ladleful of stock and wait until it’s been fully absorbed before adding another, stirring constantly and adding ladlefuls of stock until the rice is cooked – it will need 16 to 18 minutes.
Beat in the remaining k**b of butter, finely grate and beat in the Parmesan, then season to perfection and turn the heat off. Cover the pan and leave to relax for 2 minutes so the risotto becomes creamy and oozy.
Divide the risotto between warm plates, place a tomato in the centre with a little sweet garlic and the herby fennel tops, then drizzle over the tasty tomato juice