The following recipes was contributed by a Perennial Vintners customer.

Ichigo and Rhubarb Risotto with Sugared Strawberries

Risotto becomes a kind of rice pudding in this dish, with a sweet-tart syrup drizzled over the creamy rice.

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
• 2/3 cup Ichigo
• 1 1/2 cups chopped rhubarb
• 3 1/2 cups water, divided
• 2 cups non-fat milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup uncooked sweet rice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

1. Combine strawberries and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. Combine Ichigo and 1/4 cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil; cook 7 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in rhubarb; cook 7 minutes.
3. Bring 3 1/2 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan (do not boil). Keep warm over low heat. Combine milk, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, salt, and nutmeg in a separate saucepan; bring to a simmer (do not boil). Keep warm over low heat. Melt butter in a large Dutch oven. Add rice to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 cup hot water; cook 3 minutes or until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Add remaining water, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of water is absorbed before adding the next. Add milk mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of milk is absorbed before adding the next (about 30 minutes total). Stir in vanilla; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons Ichigo mixture and 1/4 cup strawberry mixture.