I’m currently auditioning meals for my birthday dinner. It’s my birthday, and I’ll eat no meat if I want to. Truthfully, I couldn’t care less about meat most of the time. Sure, I get a craving for chicken two or three times a month, and I eat it. I also cook beef once a month. We generally get greasy hamburgers out somewhere once a month, too. Except I haven’t found a decent replacement for In n Out. If one more person tells me that Five Guys is good, I’m going full-blown vegan. It’s not. Moving on.
Artichokes are my one true love in life. The first time I saw an artichoke field in Castroville, I was on my way to work in Salinas. I grew lettuce and celery for USDA field trials out there. I purposefully took the long way to work so I could stare at mounds of frilly artichoke plants with a single thick stalk projecting straight up into the sky. It’s magical, I don’t care who you are. And if that’s not cool enough for you, just know that Marilyn Monroe got her start as the Artichoke Queen at the Castroville Artichoke festival. Now we’re on the same page, aren’t we?
My best friend that I’m always talking about (Esther) taught me how to steam a whole artichoke and dip each leaf in a mustard-butter sauce before scraping the meat off with your teeth. That with a half bottle of Sauv Blanc was my dinner frequently in grad school. Save money on food, spend it on the wine. Hah.
I had a very memorable grilled artichoke on the vegetable platter at Rutherford Grill in Napa. Say what you will about RG, the vegetable plate is still the best thing my Mom and I have ever ordered at a restaurant. In the history of ever.
The smoked paprika mayo dip is so good, that when I get home from the store with a new jar of mayonnaise, I use the entire jar to make the smoked paprika mayo, and then scoop it right back in the same jar for storing. It’s what mayonnaise is meant to be, in my book.
The brown butter risotto is because everyone keeps talking about brown butter. I mean, I love butter, but would I taste the difference in browned butter? Yes, yes, and oh gosh yes. It’s awesome. I poured it all on a big pile of starch, because the beautiful thing about not eating meat is the excuse to eat more carbs. Amen.
This vegetarian risotto is wonderfully creamy and topped with a grilled artichoke.Dinner for Two: Brown Butter Risotto + Grilled Artichokes
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 796Total Fat: 55gSaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 35gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 1346mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 10gSugar: 6gProtein: 15g
Jane S. says
This looks so great! Can't wait to try it. I am also in complete agreement about Five Guys... tried them once, and that was it. Hate the fries!
Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) says
This is beautiful!!! Love the mayo too!
Linda says
You're right, NOTHING beats In-n-Out, and I got cheated out of a trip there Thursday, and I'm still angry about it. I was to pick up my SO at Lindbergh Field here in San Diego, and burger heaven is on the way. Well, he waited what he thought was long enough, and thought he was mistaken that I was coming to get him, so he took a $60 taxi ride home! My idea was to stop there on the way home, get Double Doubles and sniff the bag till we got home. By the time I had circled Terminal 2 for an hour (and if you've been there, you know what a monster it is), I finally called home and he answered on the first ring (he hadn't taken his cell w/him). Apology, apology, apology, but by then I was so tired that I just drove on back home sniffing the air as I drove by. Needless to say, the verbal punishment continues....8-)
I will be trying this, I love me some artichokes!
xo Linda
Amanda says
I love everything about this! I need to make it asap!
cheri says
Love the layers of flavor in this risotto, sounds amazing!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
I agree about Five Guys. They ain't got nothing on In'N'Out! This looks amazing!
Lori @ Recipegirl says
Adding this to my must-try soon list! Hope your birthday is wonderful!
Julia @ Sprinkled With Jules says
Can you teach me how to eat an artichoke? I've never had one. And I live in the central valley and haven't seen an artichoke field before!
Lenna says
Oh... you are so like me! I'm not vegetarian but I rarely eat meat.
This look gorgeous. I mike change risotto though, I'm afraid I'm not a big fan of it.
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
I love everything about this. Brown butter risotto is genius! And I also enjoy how you specify "real mayo."