OK, it has been well over a week since I have seen the sun in San Francisco. After a few years of living here, I have accepted that there is no real summer living in this city, but I don’t think I will ever be used to waking up to a cold cloud of fog outside everyday. I shouldn’t even bother straightening/curling my hair, because by the time I reach my work it looks like I just got out of bed. I am as white as a ghost and forgot what summer feels like!
Have you ever made risotto before? I actually had it for the first time when my friend and her sister taught me how to cook it just a few weeks ago. We made a creamy mushroom risotto. I loved it so much that I wanted to try different variations. I love how flavorful this basil risotto is, and it is the perfect filling for stuffed tomatoes! I topped them with NatureBox Tuscan Summer Mix to add a nice crunch factor, as well as some dried fruit and flavor.
- 1½ cups arborio
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1 cup basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup NatureBox Tuscan Summer Mix http://www.naturebox.com/
- 6 tomatoes
- In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp olive oil and butter over medium heat until butter is melted.
- Add the chopped shallots and stir for 1 minute.
- Add the arborio and stir until slightly browned, about 2 minutes.
- Add the lemon juice and stir.
- Add the chicken broth 1 cup at a time, after each previous cup has been absorbed. Stir occasionally.
- Simmer for 25 minutes uncovered, until all of the chicken broth has been added and absorbed.
- In a small food processor or blender, blend the basil, garlic and remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the basil mixture to the pot and stir until well combined.
- Remove the risotto from heat and stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese and Tuscan Summer Mix.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Use a paring knife to cut the tops off of the tomatoes and a spoon to carve out the inside.
- Rub the outside of each tomato with olive oil and place in a shallow greased baking dish.
- Stuff each tomato with the basil risotto and bake for 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the tops with additional Tuscan Summer Mix and serve warm.
See this recipe on the NatureBox blog!
risotto is on my list of things to make this week. Stuffing with tomatoes is a really cool idea.
Ooh, I love the idea of using risotto for stuffed tomatoes. Sound delish!
I can’t believe you just discovered risotto! It’s been a favorite of mine – for-ev-er! I love the basil flavoring in this, I bet it makes it feel a little less heavy.
xo Jackie
This sounds awesome! My garden is full of tomatoes, this is a perfect way to use them up 🙂
I’ve never made risotto but this looks phenomenal!
And eww you poor thing, San Fran summer doesn’t sound too fun
Yeah, we vacationed in SF a few years back…we came from Yosemite where it was 90+ degrees to SF where we froze! But I still love your city! And your risotto filled tomatoes look terrific!!!
Love risotto and love baked tomatoes and together perfect harmony. I feel the same way about the weather in HK, rained every day for last 2 weeks and so humid. This is not the best climate for good hair days.
I have heard it’s always cold and windy in San Francisco. I grew up in a city like that and now I’m in a warmer climate I just couldn’t move back. I love risotto and this is a lovely way to serve it xx
I usually make the recipe with a green pepper but tomatoes are my favorite.. I cant wait to try!! What a fantastic recipe =)
Risotto is such good stuff! And this is a great way to use it – plus it looks so pretty with the tomato! Thanks for this.
We’ve had a couple of unseasonably cool summer days here in NY this week. On one such morning I went outside to find overcast skies and a cool, damp breeze and I thought to myself, “Oh, it feels like San Francisco today!” Definitely made me homesick for NorCal. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to head inland for some sun sometime soon 🙂
I’ll trade weather with you, getting tired of the triple-digit heat here. But there’s plenty of sun! 🙂
Such a clever recipe and I luckily received a huge box of tomatoes in my farm box – hmmmm. 🙂
Perfect use of the tasty summer tomato!