A Peaceful Quiet, Mountain Climbing, Risotto della Volpe

 

Today was  filled with peace and quiet..a walk in the serene mountains of Abruzzo…my Tibet..I know  when I  have reached the top  the moment I see my favorite sign..La pace nasce nel silenzio (Peace is born in Silence) at the top of the mountain…and nothing can describe being at  the top…  where it is peaceful and eerily quiet at 2 in the afternoon when everyone else is at home feasting on  a  Sunday afternoon.
The perfect way to clear out all the cobwebs mulling around in your thoughts and take in some clean fresh air.. But a 2 hour trek in the mountains brings about a ravenous appetite also..
Today’s Lunch and  Recipe

Risotto della Volpe ( Risotto of the Wolf)
*2 cups of arborio rice
*1 cup of fresh or frozen peas
*1 cup of speckled beans
*5 tablespoons plain tomato sauce
*4 slices of fontina cheese sliced in strips
*2 slices of provolone cut into strips
*1 small onion
*1/2 tblsp unsalted butter
*1/2 tblsp extra virgin olive oil
*3-4 tablespoons parmigiana-reggiano cheese grated
*pinch of salt
For the broth
*4 cups water
*1 celery stick
*1 carrot
*1 onion
Place water in large pot.Add in vegetables (all except onion) that have been washed, and cook for 20 minutes. Chop onion and place in saute pan with olive oil. When golden, add in rice and toast the rice for a few minutes. Then add in fresh peas and ½ cup broth. After approx 9 minutes add in speckled beans and tomato sauce. Keep adding in broth ½ cup at a time as needed, till rice is al dente (approx 18 minutes total). When finished, add in cheese and stir till melted. Salt to taste, sprinkle on grated parmigiana cheese, add in butter, stir and serve.
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