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Parmesan Rice Timbale

17/11/2023

The Parmesan Rice Timbale is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines the creaminess of risotto with the typical au gratin of eggplant parmigiana. Here’s how to prepare it:

Ingredients

  • 300 g of risotto rice (such as Arborio, Carnaroli, or Vialone Nano)
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 400 g of tomato puree
  • 2 eggplants
  • 200 g of mozzarella (preferably fiordilatte)
  • 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • Extra virgin olive oil as needed
  • Fresh basil
  • Salt and pepper
  • Butter for greasing the mold
  • Breadcrumbs for sprinkling the mold
  • Vegetable broth as needed (optional for cooking the rice)

Preparation

  1. Start by slicing the eggplants into about half a centimeter thick slices, then grill them or cook them in a pan with a little oil until they are soft and lightly golden. Set aside.

  2. In a saucepan, sauté the finely chopped onion with some oil. When it is transparent, add the rice and toast it for a couple of minutes.

  3. Gradually add the hot vegetable broth or water, continuing to stir and cook until the rice is almost al dente.

  4. Add the tomato puree, the whole garlic clove (which you will remove later), salt and pepper. Continue cooking for a few minutes, then turn off the heat when the rice is al dente and the puree has thickened a bit.

  5. Remove the garlic and add half of the Parmesan and some torn basil leaves, mix well.

  6. Take a baking mold (preferably with a springform to facilitate unmolding) and grease it with butter, then sprinkle it with breadcrumbs.

  7. Pour half of the risotto into the mold, distribute a portion of grilled eggplants and diced mozzarella, then cover with the other half of the risotto.

  8. Complete with another layer of eggplants, the rest of the mozzarella and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.

  9. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 20 minutes, until the surface is golden brown and crispy.

  10. Remove the Parmesan Rice Timbale from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before gently unmolding it onto a serving plate. Serve hot.

Curiosity

The Parmesan Rice Timbale is a versatile dish that you can enrich by adding elements such as ricotta, cooked ham, or mushrooms, depending on your taste. Moreover, it is a good solution for reusing leftover risotto, transforming it into a new and appealing dish.

Parmesan Rice Timbale