LISA’S KITCHEN
Bacon Mushroom Risotto
INGREDIENTS
• • • •
3 tbsp olive oil
• • • •
1 1/2 cups arborio rice 1/2 cup dry white wine 5 cups chicken broth 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1 medium onion, sliced 5 strips of bacon, diced 8 ounces sliced wild mushrooms
DIRECTIONS
SCORE BIG WITH FAMILY-FRIENDLY TOUCH FOOTBALL
1. In a heavy bottom pot (such as a Dutch oven), heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 3-4 minutes until soft and slightly transparent. 2. Add the bacon and stir constantly. As it crisps, add the mushrooms and cook for an additional 2 minutes. 3. Add the arborio rice and cook for one minute, stirring constantly so the oil coats the grains. Stir in the white wine and simmer 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally. 4. Add one cup of the chicken stock and simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the rice absorbs most of the liquid, continue to add 1–2 cups of stock at a time until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked through, 25- 30 minutes total. (The risotto should be al dente and fall back in on itself when you run the spoon along the bottom of the pot). 5. Stir in the parmesan cheese and remove from the heat. Serve warm and enjoy!
Ready to tackle some family fun? Nothing beats a good old- fashioned game of touch football when the weather outside cools. It is the perfect way to get everyone running, laughing, and scoring a few points — without needing to be a pro quarterback. So, grab some comfortable shoes, and let us dive into the playbook for the MVP of family games! Make Balanced Teams To get started, create two teams among your family, with at least two players on each team. While letting kids choose their teams is fine in most cases, remember that the more balanced the teams are, the more fun everyone will have. If you have an uneven number of players, you can follow an old playground rule and have one of the older players be the quarterback for both teams, ensuring everyone gets to play while the game remains balanced. Once you form teams, create the playing field by setting up small cones or beanbags to mark boundaries and end zones. Follow the Rules Before you start playing, ensure both teams agree on the rules. There are obvious ones, like where the end zones are, how many points a touchdown is worth, and how many downs each team has — either to get a touchdown or, space permitting, a first down. You also must determine what constitutes a player as “down” — when one or two hands touch the player with the ball, whether they need to be touched on the torso or anywhere, etc. You also have to decide if a team does not score, whether the opposing team takes over from where the ball ended up, or whether each team has a set starting point for each drive.
I have a special recipe that I like to make a couple of times a year — my one-pot risotto. Now, I will admit risotto is a bit of a process. If you have ever made risotto,
you know that the preparation requires constant attention, but I love this dish. I lay out all the ingredients in order, and once I start cooking, the kitchen is mine. Lisa knows not to set foot in the kitchen, because I have the process down to a science! In honor of National Men Make Dinner Day, I am challenging all the guys out there to step up. My challenge to all men reading this article is to be more proactive in the meal preparation at your home, which includes taking control of dinner preparation more than just one day every year! And for those who want to give risotto a shot, I have included my recipe above. If I can do it, you can too! You may even surprise yourself!
Once you prepare everything, it is time to hit the field. You can determine which team gets the ball first with a game of rock-paper-scissors and play until one team reaches a predetermined score … or it is time to go inside and enjoy a family meal. Remember, the best part of family touch football is not just the touchdowns — the laughter, teamwork, and fun make every play memorable.
Click the QR code above to watch a step-by-step video on how to make this meal for your spouse and family!
–Dennis Jones
3
Extraordinary Realtors
602-677-4130
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator