Champagne Pomegranate Risotto

A big pot of this Champagne Pomegranate Risotto is a perfect New Year’s Eve dish. This dish is scrumptious.  Additionally, it does double duty as a yummy carb to soak up all that alcohol one drinks on New Year’s Eve. What better way to show your holiday guest you care? 

This dish manages to be fancy and comfort food at the same time. A fancy comfort food. A “Fanfort” dish.

I am all about easy/fancy for New Year’s Eve. After the marathon of cooking and entertaining for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I’m tired. We’re all tired. However, I still aspire to throw down impressive and delicious dishes for the year-ender. But. A little less work, please! This Champagne Pomegranate Risotto is a beautiful solution.

If you are going to a potluck party, this is also a perfect offering. for that purpose, it stretches way beyond 6 servings. More like double.

I found the original version of this recipe in a German cooking magazine. I made a few tweaks to both the ingredients and instructions. The original recipe has porcini added. I am not a mushroom fan. So, I left them out. Feel free to add them back in.  Shaved truffle would be even sexier. Go ahead and substitute shallots for the red onion which will up the fancy.

This Champagne Pomegranate Risotto has diced onion and parmesan cheese. it’s further glammed up by a champagne soaking and s stir of luscious creme fraiche. This Champagne Pomegranate Risotto pairs with so many other festive dishes. For example, your favorite duck or beef recipes.

TIPS for this Champagne Pomegranate Risotto Recipe:

• Don’t add the liquid all at once. pour in a cup at a time, wait until it absorbs, then add the next one.
• Add shaved truffle and substitute shallots for the red onion to be extra fancy.
• If you do not have leftover champagne to use, substitute sparkling wine or white wine.

Confession: This Champagne Pomegranate Risotto title is a bit misleading. The pomegranate part enters by sprinkling fresh pomegranate arils over the top of the dish before serving. Not only does it look oh-so-pretty, but these edible jewels also provide another gorgeous layer of flavor.A

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Champagne Pomegranate Risotto

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Keyword champagne, Holiday Side Dishes, New Year's Eve Menu, risotto, sidedish

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Servings 6

Author Lora Wiley-Lennartz

Ingredients

• 1 large red onion
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 C olive oil
• 1 lb risotto rice
• 1+1/4 C champagne
• 1/2 C crème fraîche
• 3 T of grated parmesan
• Salt & freshly ground pepper
• 1/3 cup fresh pomegranate arils

Instructions

1. -Peel & dice the onion.

2. -Boil broth in a saucepan. turn the heat down to low and let simmer.

3. -In a second heavy bottomed pot, heat olive oil & sauté the onion.

4. -Add the rice to the onion over low heat. Stir until orzo becomes translucent.

5. -Pour in champagne. Reduce the liquid, stirring frequently

6. -Turn the heat back up to medium. Gradually add the hot broth to the orzo one cup at a time. Add each cup after the previous one is absorbed.

7. -Cook 15 min until risotto is soft but not mushy. Check it after 10 minutes.

8. -Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the crème fraîche and parmesan.

9. - Add salt & pepper to taste.

10. Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle the pomegranate arils over the top and serve.

More Champagne-Inspired Recipes:

New Year’s Champagne Meringues

Champagne Glazed Doughnuts