Wild Ramp Risotto

Okay so here is the recipe I made tonight, actually I'm going to give you the version I should have made.

You will need:

-1/4 lb. ramps, washed, pink and white stems removed and coarsely chopped and greens thinly sliced 

-1/2 lb. mild Italian sausage, casing removed (I used hot, I would not recommend it)

-1 clove garlic minced

-4 T. butter 

-1 1/4 cup Arborio* rice

-3 1/2 cups chicken stock plus extra, homemade is best, low sodium will do in a pinch

-1/2 cup dry vermouth

-3/4 cup grated Parmesan Reggiano

-kosher salt and fresh ground pepper (throw away your pepper shaker and buy a grinder)

-the zest and juice from half a lemon 

Melt 2 T. of the butter in a saucepan over medium low heat.  In a separate saucepan heat the stock to a simmer and leave on the heat.  Ad the sausage to the melted butter and brown it all breaking it up as you go.  Add the the white part of the ramps and cook, stirring , for about 2 minutes.  Stir in the rice and cook for another 90 seconds.  Pour in the the Vermouth and deglaze** the pan.   Once the vermouth is absorbed pour in about a cup of the stock and stir in.  Continue to cook over low heat adding stock as needed until rice is al dente, about 20 minutes

Add the ramp greens and stir in, once they have started to wilt add in Parmesan and butter.  Take this opportunity to throw in a good pinch of sat and about six grinds of pepper.  Squeeze in the lemon juice, add the zest and plate immediately.  Top with a bit of parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.  

Enjoy.

*Arborio rice is an Italian short grain rice; risotto must be made with short grain rice, there are a bunch of different varieties but I find Arborio is the most affordable and easiest to find.  Oddly enough, Whole Foods bulk foods section is one of the cheapest places to find it. DO NOT try and make do with a medium or long grain rice, the result will be shit.

*Deglazing is a fancy way of saying, get the little burned off bits off of the bottom of the pan using a liquid.  Water would work but why not bring some flavor to the party.  If you don't have vermouth use dry white wine.