Lobster Risotto with Squash, Bacon, and Parmesan
4SERVINGS: 4-6 servings
PREP TIME: 40 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1hr 45 minutes
COURSE: Main
Our lobster is special — rich, succulent, and wild-caught in the cold waters of Nova Scotia. Here, we use both the stock and fresh meat to create a knockout risotto. The stock infuses the rice with heady flavor as it cooks; tender, buttery pieces of lobster top the finished dish, making every bite pure luxury. Mixed with savory bacon and roasted butternut squash, it makes a stunning autumn dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 qt. Citarella lobster stock
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ lb. diced bacon
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 500 grams arborio rice
- 1½–2 cups dry white wine
- 2 cups grated Parmesan
- 1 package pre-cut Citarella butternut squash, roasted until soft and lightly brown
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter
- 1 pt. Citarella cooked lobster meat, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 5-6 large basil leaves, julienned
Instructions
- Heat the lobster stock and keep warm.
- In a large saucepan on medium heat, add the oil and bacon. Cook until crispy. Remove bacon from the pan and reserve.
- Add the onions, then garlic and cook until translucent without color.
- Add the rice and stir to coat with the oil. Deglaze with the white wine and cook 3-4 minutes until almost dry.
- Slowly start to add the hot lobster stock 1.5 cups at a time. Simmer until almost dry, then add additional stock. Cook until the rice is tender, approximately 25-30 minutes. Fold in cheese and half of the roasted butternut squash. Season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile in a medium sauté pan, melt the butter and gently heat the lobster meat. The lobster has already been cooked, so this is to heat and season only.
- Top the risotto with the lobster, the remaining butternut squash, bacon, and the basil. Serve.
Begin Each Recipe with the Finest Seafood
Citarella owner, Joe Gurrera has 7 rules when it comes to cooking seafood. The first rule is to begin with the freshest, highest quality ingredients. And at Citarella, we have been bringing in the best for over a century. Whether it’s right out of the Atlantic, fresh from the Pacific, or sourced from one of the world’s most principled seafood farms, if it’s sold at Citarella, it’s the finest seafood available on the market today. Period.
