THE GARDENS OF THE ORIENTAL PALACE, TIVOLI, ITALY
The most interesting information about these gardens is perhaps the fact that they were established for the wife of an accomplished dignitary of Italy because she was very depressed. Talk about being over pampered. Well love surely is blind. Apart from this little fact, the gardens are famous in the whole world for their beautiful fountains.
I actually have a Villa d'Este recipe, that's why the gardens looked familiar.
Risotto can Carciofi / Risotto with Artichokes | Luciano Parolari, Villa d’Este / SERVES 4 to 6
Easy, elegant risotto was Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner’s favorite. They stayed at Villa d’Este on fabulous Lake Como when they first traveled to Italy in the 1950’s. Chef Parolari shares Verandah Restaurant’s secret recipe. Can serve w/ any Italian sausage grilled or sauteed w/ sage and butter.
PREP Slice artichokes very thin. Set aside one-half. Saute rest on med in tb ea melted butter, ol/oil 3 min (soft in center). Set aside.
RISOTTO BTB then keep at a bare simmer 6 c chix stock. Cook/stir/soften onion in tb ea melted butter/olive oil on med w/ wooden spoon til translucent 3 min. Add rice; cook/stir 3 min, coat every grain w/ butter and oil. Then add ½ cup spumante (sparkling wine); stir til absorbed. Add cup stock; stir til absorbed. Add uncooked sliced artichokes. Continue adding stock ½ cup at a time, stir frequently; absorb liquid before adding more stock. Cook rice just tender and creamy but al dente, 15-20 min. You may have leftover stock. Add 1/2 cup spumante; stir well. Offheat, stir in 3 tb butter, Parm, s/p. Let rest 1-2 min.
SERVE topped w/ sauteed artichokes, sprinkling of minced Italian parsley.
NOTE Eataly, NYC has fantastic Carnaroli rice; worth the effort to find it, but dish is still delicious with arborio rice as well.
Thank you for all the beautiful photos this week!