‘Cheat’ risotto that takes just 20 minutes and is a ‘delicious’ autumn comfort meal

When the autumn chill sets in, nothing beats a piping hot bowl of risotto for dinner. This creamy Italian classic offers a plethora of flavours and toppings, often surpassing the decadence of your average pasta dish.

However, anyone who’s tried their hand at making risotto knows that while it’s not overly complicated, it requires careful attention to achieve perfection. You’ll likely spend around 40 minutes by the stove, gradually adding stock and stirring until the dish is cooked to perfection.

But what if you’re short on time yet still crave that risotto-like texture and taste? Well, there’s a simple alternative that’s just as delicious.

Recipe whizz Dishes By Daisy has come up with a ‘cheat’ risotto recipe, packed with the delightful flavours of garlic and chicken, that takes significantly less time to prepare, reports the Liverpool Echo.

By swapping out risotto rice for orzo, the cooking time is drastically reduced, and each serving costs a mere £1.35. It’s the perfect budget-friendly, low-waste meal that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.

It can be whipped up in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for those hectic weeknights when time is of the essence. Despite its simplicity, Daisy assures us it’s ‘delicious’, and it’s also a great way to use up any leftover chicken or veggies lurking in your fridge.

Here’s everything you need to whip up this dish.

Cheat’s risotto

Ingredients

• 2 garlic cloves
• 250g leftover chicken
• 300g orzo
• 700ml stock (add gradually, you may need more or less depending on the temp you cook it at)
• seasoning of choice (paprika, herbs etc)
• Frozen spinach or any other leftover vegetables
• 30g hard Italian cheese

Method

1. Finely chop up your garlic cloves, then grab a frying pan and set it over a medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Fry off the garlic for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
2. Add in the leftover chicken or any other protein of your choice and give it a stir before adding in the orzo, mixing again and then adding in the stock slowly.
3. At this point, you can add in some fresh herbs if you like, before adding the seasoning and leaving the orzo to simmer for around seven minutes.
4. When the time is up, add the spinach to the pan and stir. Simmer for another five minutes.
5. Finally, add in the hard Italian cheese and mix well again before serving.

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