This week, French Fridays with Dorie introduced a familiar technique to a very different recipe, Dressy Pasta “Risotto”. This recipe also, once again, demonstrated that I need to start paying more attention to Dorie’s punctuation because, despite the quotation marks, I was somehow expecting risotto and not “risotto” this week.
Unlike risotto, there is no rice. Unlike risotto, there is no stirring. Like risotto, the pasta (strozzapreti in my case) is cooked in broth instead of water. Like risotto, this is rich, creamy, and delicious.
I took Dorie’s suggestion and soaked some fresh herbs and dried mushrooms in the cream before adding it to the pasta. The finished dish was served alongside some roast chicken (also a la Dorie) and brussel sprouts. All in all a delicious and hassle-free (compared to risotto anyway) side.
I’m going to leave the pictures out and instead wish everyone a happy new year. Maybe 2014 is the year that I’ll start cooking more FFwD dishes during daylight hours so that I can get better pictures. But I wouldn’t hold your breath.
one expat's life 
This was easy and we loved it. Happy New Year to you.
Loved this too! Happy New Year! I also have a problem with daytime cooking – my 8-6 gets in the way except on weekends when the spouse and puppies get in the way. I bought a photo studio in a box that helps – unfortunately with the holidays I had to take it down for decorations – but here is a link in case you are interested – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OZRFR2/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Wasn’t this yummy? I really liked it too. Added a bit of wine and finished with truffle salt. I think your additions sound great too! Happy New Year!
This was great, wasn’t it? Wishing you a wonderful New Year!
Sounds like your meal was very similar to mine, with Dorie’s chicken and Brussels sprouts! Except your “risotto” sounds better, what with the herbs and dried mushrooms. Very nice!
LOL … there have been lots of things I haven’t photographed due to light and time restrictions. then we eat everything up before i’ve taken a picture… LOL 🙂 I miss the summer time!
Its a one-pot-wonder too! a repeat recipe for sure for most of us! Happy New Year!
This was so, so good! Craving more now. I may need to revisit this recipe this week.
There were so many bonne idees around this recipe, it was hard to pick just one. I bought some orzo at the market to try to make it even more of a mock risotto next time. Happy New Year, Rose!
Happy New Year!
This was delicious, pictures or not. I think this will be a fun one to play around with in the future.
Oh I have the same problem! Sometimes I make the recipe and eat everything before I even think about taking a picture and then there are those days that are so cloudy everything looks really dull but with this one I woke up early and was blessed with half an hour of sunshine so I was able to take the picture! It was so good though I think I will make it again!
Holy moly I can’t believe how many Doristas served this with chicken and brussels sprouts- that is an amazing coincidence (and yummy meal). Great job for knocking it out and enjoying the first FFWD recipe of the new year. Happy 2014 !
Really couldn’t have been easier. But yeah, its not risotto. Or even close. But she gets a pass ’cause it was intensely lovely.
This was nice and easy. And quite tasty. I like the use of the broth.
I love how many of us served this with roast chicken and Brussels sprouts! Happy New Year!
Next time I’m adding herbs and mushrooms. Bill be damned 😉 Happy New Year!!!
I skipped this one, as I was afraid gluten-free pasta would be a disaster in it. But, from everyone’s reviews, I’m going to have to find an occasion to make it with some standard pasta – even if it’s just for me. Sounds fantastic. I’m also with you on the resolution to make some French Friday meals during daylight hours, too. Happy New Year!
I’m a little slow on catching up from last week. This one was tasty. Nothing in it I don’t like and pretty easy too. Did you make Lazy People’s Chicken? That’s one of my favorite Dorie recipes. Getting daylight pictures is a challenge. The timing never seems to work out. Good luck with that! Happy New Year, Rose!
A belated Happy New Year to you too! I’ve given up on even trying to get the dishes done during daylight hours. Maybe if we made more breakfast food…