As the days begin to get a little cooler, September is the perfect time to start reaching for warmer, comforting dishes while still making the most of fresh British tomatoes.
This Roasted Tomato & Parmesan Risotto combines sweet roasted tomatoes with creamy risotto rice, Parmesan and fresh herbs to create a simple but satisfying meal that’s perfect for the transition from summer into autumn.
Roasting the tomatoes first intensifies their natural sweetness and creates delicious juices that can be stirred straight through the risotto.
Ingredients
- 500g fresh British tomatoes
- 300g arborio risotto rice
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 litre vegetable stock
- 50g Parmesan, grated
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- Handful of fresh basil
- Salt and black pepper
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Place the tomatoes on a baking tray, drizzle with one tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast for approximately 25–30 minutes until softened and beginning to caramelise.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a large pan.
- Add the onion and gently cook until softened before adding the garlic.
- Stir in the risotto rice and cook for around one minute.
- Begin adding the vegetable stock one ladle at a time, stirring regularly and allowing each addition to absorb before adding more.
- Continue for approximately 20 minutes until the rice is creamy but still has a slight bite.
- Stir through the roasted tomatoes and any juices from the roasting tray.
- Add the butter and Parmesan and season to taste.
- Finish with fresh basil before serving.
Let the Tomatoes Do the Talking
One of the best things about this recipe is that the tomatoes provide so much of the flavour.
Roasting them allows their natural sweetness to develop while creating a rich, juicy addition to the creamy rice. There’s no need for complicated sauces or lots of additional ingredients.
You can also adapt the recipe depending on what you have available. Try adding spinach towards the end of cooking or serving with extra roasted cherry tomatoes on top.
It’s warming enough for a cooler September evening while still celebrating the fresh flavours of British tomato season.
At R & L Holt, we love seeing just how many different meals can be created with the humble tomato – and this is definitely one to add to your autumn recipe collection.
