Champagne Risotto

As part of an early Valentine's Day dinner, I chose to make this recipe with my other recipe, Champagne Chicken, to have a whole Champagne-themed meal.  I've never made risotto before and my husband had never eaten risotto before, so this was a slight risk...we both really enjoyed this and I will make it again!  It had very creamy, rich flavor and was very delicious, though slightly tedious in the adding/stirring/etc...

Champagne Risotto
Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients

• 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 12 asparagus spears, cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup Arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
• 3/4 cup Champagne
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Blanch the asparagus in the chicken stock for 2 minutes. 
• Remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon. Set the asparagus aside and keep the chicken stock at a low simmer.
• In another medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. 
• Add the shallot and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. 
• Add the Arborio rice and stir to coat in the butter. 
• Continue toasting the rice, stirring constantly, for about 3 minutes more. Add the Champagne and simmer until the liquid has almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. 
• Add 1/2 cup of the simmering broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. 
• Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of broth to absorb before adding the next, until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 20 minutes total. 
• Remove from the heat. Gently stir in the asparagus, remaining butter, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. 
• Spoon the risotto into serving dishes and garnish by breaking the crisp prosciutto into smaller pieces over the top of the risotto. Serve immediately.