Black Garlic Risotto with Peas
Black Garlic
The flavors and texture of black garlic are so unique. It did not taste like I had expected. It was like a garlic candy; sweet, and slightly savory, with subtle garlic notes and a jelly-candy texture. The deep color and flavor is the result of a month-long aging by a special high-heat fermentation process. It has umami flavors of molasses, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and licorice. For more information and a recent culinary history about Black Garlic, go to
blackgarlic.com.
Risotto Recipe
I started with this wonderful olive oil from the California Olive Ranch, 2009 Olio Nuovo, a gift from the
Foodbuzz Blogger Festival. It was one of the oils we tasted at Michael Tuohy’s Olive Oil Tasting seminar. We learned from Michael to use this oil now, when it is young. Olio Nuovo: A “living liquid” bottled at time of milling, it has a thick texture and rich flavor.
Heat 1/2 c. olive oil in a heavy saucepan. Add a finely chopped onion. Sauté until light golden brown.
Add 1 1/2 c. arborio rice and stir until each grain is coated with oil. Add 1/2 c. white wine and cook until the wine has evaporated. Add about 5 c. hot chicken stock gradually as absorbed, stirring continuously until the rice is almost al dente.
Add sliced black garlic and continue stirring, adding the final stock, until the rice is al dente.
The black garlic gives the rice a deep caramel color.
Cook peas separately, then combine peas with risotto.
Black garlic imparts such interesting and complex flavors to this risotto.
Crispy, juicy pork chop optional.
