I have only been to Basingstoke twice in my life, today being the second time, and each time I get horribly lost- I go round and round in circles for what seems like hours! It actually reminds me of a time in Seville when I’d given up hope of ever finding the apartment again….
However, after being rained on I had a lovely catch up with a colleague in a very sweet tea shop, so worth the journey all in all. Maybe my next trip to Basingstoke will be third time lucky?
A rainy day called for a sunny, warm meal and that was exactly what was created:
Oven-baked Tomato and Herb Risotto
This is adapted from an Annie Bell recipe and was both easy and tasty, perfect for tired people in need of a pick me up. Here’s my recipe for it:
500ml vegetable stock, with a pinch of saffron
glug of olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 tin chopped tomatoes
Handful cherry tomatoes, chopped
150g risotto rice
150 ml dry white wine
Sprig of rosemary and thyme
✨ preheat the oven to 180 degrees
✨ heat the stock and saffron in a small pan
✨ in a heavy pan that can go into the oven, heat the oil and fry the onion for a couple of minutes until softened. Add the tomatoes for a minute or two, and then stir the rice into the pan.
✨ pour in the wine and reduce for a couple of minutes. Add the rosemary and the thyme. Put over the stock, season, cover with a lid and pop into the oven for 25 mins.
I took the lid off for the last 2 mins to reduce the liquid a little further. I have to admit to being a little sceptical about cooking a risotto in the oven but it really was lovely and will be a permanent feature in the French Thomas kitchen!
Totally understand your feelings about Basingstoke! Like you we have found ourselves on unwanted magical, mystery tours . . .
Very much like the recipe. It would never occur to me to do a risotto in the oven – but now I’ll give it a go. I like to have it as a staple in the Thomas kitchen!!! B
It being a miserable, rainy day, today was clearly the day to give your recipe a go. All was fine until I realised that my arborio rice was over 2 years past its best before date! I don’t suppose that rice goes off but . . . I’m meeting a friend in London on Saturday to go to the theatre and wasn’t prepared to prove myself wrong! So, what to do given that a trip to Tesco didn’t appeal? I resorted to using basmati but upped the amount to 200 grm. It worked just fine albeit with a different texture. So arborio rice on the shopping list and your recipe on the list of meals we like and will repeat! Thanks . . . B
The ever adaptable Thomas women!!!