Fruits and rice for breakfast? Try this cranberry and apple risotto

Rice is one of those ingredients that are in every house’s pantry. Almost every person in the world has eaten, cooked, seen, or recognized this staple in some dishes. Rice is very popular mainly because of its ancient background. It goes back to 4,000 years in Asia, where it started its path all over the world. There is no surprise how rice reached every corner. Its countless benefits make it a basic food in every home worldwide. Rice history is also strongly related to countries’ cultural heritage which is translated into their traditional dishes. Most countries have a typical rice-based dish, and even some regions are well-identified by their rice meals. Make apple risotto-

To name a few, Paella sounds to the Spanish people as richness in color and flavor, Mexico expresses its culinary heritage in delightful Red rice. All Turkey’s exotic taste is shown in one-pot Pilaf. Creamy risotto is the best symbol of Italy’s cuisine.

Knowing rice versatility

Rice is undoubtedly the preferred staple. Its blank flavor has been used to create endless delightful preparations for countries’ traditional dishes, and people’s common diet.

In every house, this grain is part of the daily menu in simple dishes, where components and cooking techniques are followed as a tradition passed through generations.

However, there are a bunch of people who do not stick to the taught rules and make their own recipes. They see rice as a blank slate where they can put as many components as they want, to create tasty meals.

For this reason, you can see versions of Paella or Red rice with ham or totally vegetarian; or a Pilaf with tuna or fresh fruits. There are even rice-based dishes for lunch but transformed with new ingredients for making a different breakfast.

Unthinkable rice dish transformations

Most rice preparations are salty, used plain as a side dish, or with other components for one-pot meals such as fried rice, pilaf, and chicken with rice, for example. There are also sugary preparations like rice puddings, rice cakes, or mochi; and drinks such as horchata, chicha, and sake.

With a blank ingredient like rice, it is not surprising to find creative meals, where this grain is a base for new tastes and textures.

Some rice-based meals can be easily transformed into something else. One good example of preparation adaptability is Risotto. This Italian dish already has thousands of variations. The creamy texture, ease to cook, and simple ingredients are desirable characteristics to prepare a different meal. Imagine combining the creamy texture of risotto with fresh fruits and making a satisfying breakfast. The result is exquisite flavor with a soft and tender texture.

Using creaminess of rice as a base, you can add your preferred fruits and flavors, or those seasonal ones available. You can cook this meal all year round and have the same satisfying feeling every time you want.

Some good ideas include:

• Risotto with dried fruits.
• Risotto with apples and raisins.
• Sweet risotto with almonds.
• Red berry risotto.
• Cranberry and apple risotto.

Remember that the secret behind any recipe is to use high-quality ingredients. As for Risotto, you need to get Arborio rice like riceselect.com/product/Arborio. For making a breakfast risotto, you will also need the best fruits.

See the following recipe, and find a quite original way of eating apple risotto

Cranberry and apple risotto

Ingredients (4 servings):

• 1 cup of dried cranberries.
• 3 cups of low-fat milk.
• 1 cinnamon stick.
• Pinch of salt.
• 1/4 cup of butter.
• 1-1/2 cups of Arborio rice.
• 2 medium peeled and chopped apples.
• 1/3 cup of brown sugar.
• 1-1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves.
• 2 cups of unsweetened apple juice.
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Preparation:

1. Start rehydrating the cranberries for 30 minutes by soaking them in a bowl with enough hot water.
2. In a saucepan, pour milk, cinnamon stick, and salt. Cook at medium heat, do not let it boil. Set aside.
3. In another saucepan, melt some butter, incorporate apples and rice, stir and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Pour half of the apple juice and cook until it evaporates. Include the rest of the apple juice.
5. Add sugar, half of the hot milk, cook and stir frequently.
6. Continue adding milk and stirring, until rice is soft.
7. Drain the cranberries, and add them and vanilla extract to the risotto mixture. Mix very well.
8. Let it stand for a while and serve.