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INGREDIENTSÌý

2 Banana Shallots - finely chopped

1 Large clove of garlic - chopped

8 Asparagus spears + 2 for garnish

75gm Diced pancetta

500ml Chicken Stock - hot

250ml White wine

200gm Risotto rice

½ Tablsp Chopped fresh thyme

½ Tablsp Chopped flat leaf parsley

80gm Parmesan cheese - grated finely

1 Tablsp Oil

50gm Slightly salted butter

Salt/Pepper

Ìý

METHOD

Ìý

· Trim the asparagusÌý and toss into boiling water for 2 - 3 minutes. Remove and run under cold water.

· Chop 8 of the spears into ½ inch pieces and keep 2 whole for garnish.

· Heat the oil in a large fry pan and gently fry the pancetta cubes, take out and set aside.

· Add 25gms of butter to the pan and sauté the chopped shallot and garlic.

· Add the rice and stir until all the rice is coated with the oil/butter.

· Add the wine and simmer gently until absorbed by the rice.

· Add the hot stock a ladle at a time stirring well to allow the liquid to be completely absorbed

· When all the stock has been absorbed and the rice is cooked add the remaining 25gms of butter, the fresh herbs, parmesan cheese and remaining butter. Stir gently to incorporate all the ingredients.

· Season with salt and pepper.

· Serve with a garnish of asparagus spears.

PARMESAN CRISPS

Ìý

· Set oven at 175°C

· Cover the back of a baking tray with baking parchment

· Take 150gm of grated parmesan Cheese and using a 2" circular pastry-cutter, place the cutter on top of the greaseproof paper and put a heaped teaspoon of cheese inside the cutter spreading it right into the edges - do NOT press the cheese down it will melt as it bakes.

· Repeat the process until the greaseproof paper is covered in cheese rounds. These dont spread so you need only leave small spaces in between.

·Ìý Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. Watch them carefully they will over cook quite easily.

· Transfer them to a wire rack to cool and crisp up. Store in an air-tight container.