Bacon, Cheddar and Beer Risotto

This has been on Pinterest for awhile.  I'm always hesitant about beer in food (besides a chili) because if you don't use the right beer, it can give it a weird flavor.  Anyway, we seem to have a plethora of styles of beer in our fridge right now, so we tried this recipe.

It was rather comforting.  Kind of like a savory oatmeal, if you must.  The calories are higher than on Emily Bites.  This is due to using real bacon and butter.

I would have again.  D thought it would be better with smoked paprika instead of cayenne.  I couldn't tell you.

We had with a chopped salad.

Bacon, Cheddar and Beer Risotto

Photo by ALB

Yield: 8 (1 CUP) SERVINGS
Adapted from Emily Bites

Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups uncooked Arborio rice
12 oz bottle of beer (Used Smuttynose Brown Ale)
6 cups fat free reduced sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 oz Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
3/4 cup sharp shredded cheddar cheese (Used Kroger Sharp)
2/3 cup 2% reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese (Used Sargento 2%)
4 slices cooked bacon
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Preparation
Make sure your bacon is cooked.

Place the butter in a large sauté pan and bring it over medium-low heat until butter is just melted. Add onions and cook 3-5 minutes until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until garlic is fragrant. Add the rice and stir to combine. Cook an additional 2 minutes, stirring throughout.

Pour in the beer and turn the heat up to high until the beer begins to simmer. Reduce heat back to medium-low and add ½ cup of the chicken broth. Stir until the liquid dissolves and then add another ½ cup. Repeat until all the broth has been added and the rice is creamy and al dente.

Remove the rice mixture from the heat and add the cheeses, bacon and cayenne pepper. Stir until thoroughly combined and serve.

Nutrition Information (MyFitnessPal)
Calories: 308; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0 g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 0 g; Trans Fat 0 g; Cholesterol: 39 mg; Sodium: 710 mg; Potassium: 175 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 41 g; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Sugars: 1 g; Protein 15 g