Beat the Blues with Blue Cheese Risotto

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces butter

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 12 ounces leeks, trimmed and thinly sliced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 6 ounces smoked bacon or pancetta, diced

• 12 ounces arborio rice

• 100 ml dry white wine

• 1 1/2 liters chicken stock or vegetable stock

• 2 teaspoons fresh sage, chopped

• 1 lemon, zested and juiced

• 6 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

• 4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the leeks, garlic, and bacon and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the wine and cook until the wine is absorbed, about 1 minute.

3. Add 1/2 cup of the stock and cook, stirring constantly, until the stock is absorbed. Continue adding the stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, until the rice is cooked through and the risotto is creamy, about 20 minutes total.

4. Stir in the sage, lemon zest, lemon juice, blue cheese, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Serve immediately.

Tips:

• For a richer risotto, use half chicken stock and half heavy cream.

• To make a vegetarian risotto, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and omit the bacon.

• To add a bit of heat to the risotto, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pan with the leeks and garlic.

• Serve the risotto with a side of roasted vegetables or a salad.

Story:

I first made this risotto when I was feeling down. I was going through a tough time at work and I just couldn't seem to shake the blues. I decided to cook myself a nice meal as a way to cheer myself up. I found this recipe online and it sounded delicious. I followed the instructions and the risotto turned out perfectly. It was creamy, flavorful, and comforting. I ate it all up and it definitely helped to lift my spirits.

I've made this risotto many times since then and it's always a hit. It's the perfect dish for a cold winter night or a cozy weekend brunch. It's also a great way to use up leftover blue cheese. If you're looking for a delicious and comforting dish to make, I highly recommend this blue cheese risotto. It's sure to beat the blues!