Risotto with Bell Peppers and Shrimp

The risotto with bell peppers and shrimp is a dish that combines the flavors of the sea and the land in a harmonious balance. The sweetness of the peppers pairs perfectly with the delicate taste of the shrimp. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 320 g of Carnaroli or Arborio rice
• 400 g of cleaned shrimp
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 small shallot
• 1 clove of garlic
• 200 ml of dry white wine
• 1 l of hot fish broth
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Butter (about 30 g)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by cutting the bell peppers into strips or cubes, after having cleaned them by removing the seeds and the white inner parts.
2. In a frying pan, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the finely chopped shallot. Add the clove of garlic.
3. Add the peppers and let them cook for about 10 minutes or until they have softened. If you prefer, at the end of cooking, you can blend part of the peppers to obtain a cream to add to the risotto.
4. In a separate pan, cook the shrimp with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a clove of garlic, seasoning them lightly with salt. Deglaze with a splash of white wine and cook for a few minutes. Then set them aside.
5. In a saucepan, toast the rice with a drizzle of oil until it becomes translucent. Deglaze with the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
6. Start adding the hot broth a little at a time, continuing to stir and allowing the rice to absorb the liquid before adding more broth.
7. Midway through cooking, incorporate the peppers (except for the part you blended, which you’ll add towards the end).
8. When the rice is almost al dente, add the shrimp and the pepper cream. Season with salt and pepper.
9. Cream the risotto with butter and, if you like, the grated lemon zest for a fresh and aromatic note.
10. Let the risotto rest for a minute before serving, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Curiosity

Risotto is one of the most representative dishes of Italian cuisine and can be varied in many ways. According to Italian tradition, the final creaming with butter is essential to give the risotto that characteristic creaminess.

To make the dish even more tied to Italian tradition, you might consider adding a touch of grated pecorino cheese before serving, which complements well the sweetness of the bell peppers and the freshness of the shrimp.