Dandelion Risotto Soup
Ingredients
1 cup diced natural, smoked ham
2 small shallots, diced
3 cloves garlic, diced
1 large bunch dandelion greens, chopped
2 small carrots, diced
1 bay leaf
2 Tbls extra virgin olive oil
1 cup white Arborio rice
8 cups homemade chicken stock
1 whole lemon, juiced
1 tsp sea salt
2 tsps black pepper
Instructions
Bring 4 cups of salted water to boil, add dandelion greens and cook for 5 minutes. This will create a less bitter green once added to the soup. Discard water and drain greens, rinse well with cold water and set aside.
Preheat a heavy bottom soup pot. Add olive oil and bay leaf. Add shallots, carrots and garlic and cook until translucent.
Add rice and cook while stirring constantly for two minutes, or until the rice takes on a bit of color. Do not brown the rice!
Add the ham and stir, allow the ham to crisp a bit. One ham is crackling, add lemon juice and deglaze the bottom of your pot.
Add 6 cups of warm chicken broth, stir well, add salt and pepper to taste.
Stir well and allow the soup to come up to a boil, add the cooked dandelion greens, lower heat, place a cover over 3/4 of the pot and allow to simmer for 30 minutes, you may want to add the last two cups of broth as the soup simmers, depending on how thin or thick you want your soup to be.
After cooking for 30 minutes check the texture of your rice, if it is still al-dente allow to simmer for 10 more minutes, adjust the seasoning to your liking and add more broth if you want to. Serve along with a side a fresh green salad and perhaps some parmesan crisps.
Serving
This is a very hearty satisfying dish, a a 6-8 ounce serving will be satiating. Also — You can vary the veggies in this recipe. I am keeping nightshade free, but I think some red peppers would be delicious, as well as mushrooms.
Nutrient Information
Per serving, 8 servings
Calories 186
Total Fat 7g
Saturated Fat 1g
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 11mg
Sodium 722 mg
Total Carbohydrates 21g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugar 5g
Protein 10g
Vitamin A 2668IU
Vitamin C 7mg
Calcium 34mg
Iron 1mg
Phosphorous 154mg
Potassium 393mg