Risotto with Butternut Squash, Pancetta, and Jack Cheese
Serves 4 people
Ingredients
-1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 3 1/2 cups) Cooking spray
-2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
-1 1/3 cups water
-2 tablespoons Madeira wine or sweet Marsala
-1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon
-4 ounces chopped pancetta
-1 cup finely chopped onion
-1 teaspoon olive oil
-2 garlic cloves, minced
-3/4 cup uncooked Arborio rice or other short-grain rice
-2/3 cup (about 2 1/2 ounces) 1/2-inch-cubed Monterey Jack cheese
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
-2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
-Fresh tarragon sprigs (optional)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 475°.
2. Place squash on a nonstick jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 475° for 20 minutes or until tender, turning after 10 minutes.
3. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.
4. Combine broth, water, wine, and tarragon in a saucepan; bring to a simmer. Keep warm over low heat.
5. Cook pancetta in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove pancetta from pan; drain on a paper towel. Discard pan drippings. Add onion and oil to pan; sauté 10 minutes or until onion is tender. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add rice to pan; sauté 1 minute. Stir in broth mixture; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat, and simmer over low heat, uncovered, for 10 minutes. (Do not stir; rice will have a liquid consistency similar to stew.)
6. Place pan in oven; bake at 325° for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Stir in the squash, pancetta, cheese, salt, and pepper. Cover with a clean cloth; let stand 10 minutes (rice will continue to cook). Sprinkle with pine nuts. Garnish with tarragon sprigs, if desired.
Healthy Tip!
Exercising outside during the fall can be incredibly refreshing. The temperature is comfortable, the leaves are changing. However, it’s important to remember that your body is so much more susceptible to injury due to the colder weather. Make sure you’re loose before throwing the ball around. Warm up and stretch out. Dress in layers so that you can keep cool while competing, and stay warm when you’re not. Also, remember to drink plenty of water. Don’t let the chill fool you into thinking it’s unnecessary. Follow these simple guidelines to stay fit throughout the winter and stay healthy doing it.