This bright pink beet risotto has it all. Great flavour and gorgeous looks. The earthy beets give it the gorgeous colour and add the most amazing depth to the rice, paired with fresh ricotta and some floral thyme, this is a dish that will never fail to impress.
Pink is everywhere this month and it is wonderful to see! The world has gone pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Even the disposable red cups (You know the ones!!!) are currently pink. I love that. This is a cause that is close to my heart and a disease that changed my life!
This Perfectly Pink Beet Risotto is my savoury contribution to raising awareness, it is a show stopping meal. I wish you could be in my kitchen, I can assure you that the colour you see isn't edited! This risotto really is bright bright pink. Sprinkled with fresh beautiful white ricotta and with a light garnish of thyme, it is gorgeous to look at. (It tastes pretty gorgeous too!).
It is certainly going to be a dish that gets remembered and that is what I wanted. I wanted a meal that will stay in peoples minds once October and Breast Cancer Awareness month had finished.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia and one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime!!!!
And that is just breast cancer. All cancers combined affect one in three people!!!!!!!
Breast Cancer affected me over 20 years ago when my Mum lost her battle with secondary breast cancer.
Her relapse was sudden and vicious, they discovered the disease was back, found it had spread to her liver and her kidneys and she passed away just a week later. In some ways maybe that was a blessing; she didn't spend a long time suffering and as a family we didn't watch her slowly disappear. We woke up one morning, sat and talked whilst the nurse helped her sit up, I remember her asking to wear my long cream jumper, I remember her wrapping a green pashmina around her shoulders and I remember her smiling. She was coherent and responsive, she kissed us, we went to school, she was sleeping when we arrived home and that night she died.
It changed our lives, it was so sudden, so devastating and such a loss, but we adapted, grew up, changed and it became part of our lives and part of who we are. We are children who lost their mother at an early age, we lost someone who taught us how important love is, how important family is and who even though she was dying, smiled and acted as normally as she could. She gave us the gift of love and that is something cancer can't take away. And more than that, in an odd and poignant way, she also gave us the ability to deal with disaster and tragedy, we know that whatever life throws our way, we can overcome it. We are stronger because of her death.
But I think the hardest part for me, is now I am a mother. I cannot imagine the pain and heartache she must have gone through knowing that she would leave us and wouldn't see us grow up. As I wrote to a friend the other day, I lost my mother that day, but she lost everything. She lost seeing us become adults, our graduations, our weddings and seeing her grandchildren. She knew she would have to leave my Dad to bring us up alone.
That, more than anything, is what makes me sad and angry at this disease. But through awareness and research we can make a difference. I know in the 20 plus years, since it affected my life, the survival rates has increased by over 20%!!!!
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If you are interested in making a donation, these charities work on raising awareness, research and supporting those with the disease. If you have any other breast cancer charities you support, please let me know below and I will happily add them to this list.
- Australia National Breast Cancer Foundation
- New Zealand Breast Cancer Network New Zealand
- UK Breast Cancer Now
- UK - McGrath Foundation
- US Breast Cancer Action
- US Living Beyond Breast Cancer
Also not specifically for breast cancer patients but the Macmillan Nurses do an amazing job, with patient care within hospitals and in the home. An amazing organisation.
So the pink pink pink beets risotto! I can tell you the boys wanted to know why I couldn't make blue risotto!!!!
Tips for making this pink beets risotto.
Don't be scared by risotto, pour a glass of wine (you'll need some for the recipe) put on a bit of music and enjoy 20 minutes of kitchen therapy.
Stir your pan slowly, and if you listen to the Italian Nonnas (and let's face it why wouldn't you!!!) you should only every stir in one direction.
Ideally stir with a flat paddle spoon that has a hole in the middle. They usually come in those packets of wooden spoons and spatulas. The one with a large round hole in the middle is a risotto spoon. I only learnt that a few years back!!!!
If you want more tips on the perfect risotto then check out this post...Simple Perfect Risotto.
I also have a few other risotto recipes on the blog, Seared Salmon with Lemon Risotto, Saffron and Leek Risotto, Sausage and Rosemary Risotto.
p.s if you have any tips on how to photography risotto I would love to hear them....I find it one of the hardest foods to capture!
Why not pin this recipe for this Beet Risotto with Ricotta and Thyme for later. Pin it here.
Get the Recipe
Beetroot Risotto with Ricotta and Lemon Thyme
Ingredients
- 14 oz cooked beetroots - see notes
- 1 red onion
- ½ stick butter
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups risotto rice
- 2 sprigs lemon thyme or normal thyme
- ½ cup wine (red or white)
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 1 tablespoon cold butter
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan
- 4 tablespoon ricotta - see notes
Instructions
- Start by preparing the beetroots. Reserve the liquid that the beetroots came in and then chop each beetroot into small chunks. Set the beetroot and the juice aside.
- Peel and finely chop the onion.
- Put the butter into a heavy based pan, add the olive oil and place over a medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
- Crush in the garlic and the salt and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Add the risotto rice and stir to coat in the butter.
- Sprinkle over the thyme and then cook for a minute or so until the edges of the rice are starting to look translucent.
- Pour in the wine and allow it to sizzle away.
- Add a ladleful of the stock and stir the risotto to prevent it from catching. Allow this liquid to be absorbed and then add another ladle of stock. Continue adding and stirring until until the rice is cooked to al dente and the liquid has all been absorbed. This is usually about 20 minutes.
- Pour in 70ml of the reserved beetroot juice and add the chopped beetroot. Place over a low heat and stir gently until the rice is a perfect pink colour and the beetroot is heated through.
- Remove from the heat and stir through the remaining butter and the parmesan.
- Place the lid on the risotto pan and leave it for 3-4 minutes.
- Give it a final stir and then serve immediately, with a tablespoon of ricotta sprinkled over and a garish of fresh thyme leaves.
Notes
However I made a smaller portion using 500ml of milk (and 25ml of vinegar)
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
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Sandhya says
Dear Claire,
I have had the pleasure of pinning your wonderful recipes and this recipe is no exception either! I love the color and the combination of flavors.
I can relate very well to your post about losing your mom to breast cancer. I lost mom and my sister to breast cancer and it is simply devastating. But our dear ones always live in our heart and will always be close to us in spirit.
I look forward to many more amazing recipes from you!
Claire McEwen says
Sandhya, I am so so sorry to hear about your mom and sister. Words cannot express what I want to say to you, it such a loss you can't explain isn't it.
I agree, our loved ones are forever in our hearts and will always be part of our lives.
Hugs xx
Suzy - The Mediterranean Dish says
Claire, this is just a lovely and inspiring post. I am so sorry for your loss. This recipe here stands as a wonderful tribute to your mom and many women who have lost their lives to cancer. Keep on keeping on, friend!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you my sweet friend x
I hope my pink risotto stays with people and keeps awareness high.
Sandra @ Heavenly Home Cooking says
What a beautiful tribute to your mother! Your post has already touched so many in a positive way, and I'm sure that it will touch many more in the years to come. Your risotto looks SO amazing, needless to say! Definitely pinning this!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Sandra, it was hard to write. I hope it has a positive impact on people and that it raises awareness of the disease and the charities that work for a cure and to help those in need x
Mary @ StrawmarySmith says
Hi Claire!
I can't imagine how much courage it must have taken for you to write this post. Your mom sounds like such a wonderful human being, and you are beautifully displaying the character she's passed on to you.
This recipe looks amazing, and I adore that you found a way to naturally make risotto pink.
Big hugs <3
Mary
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Mary x
I do love how pink the beetroot made it, and like you say all natural and all delicious xx
Jen says
I'm so sorry for your loss and I just love the recipe xxx
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Jen xx
Kristen says
This recipe sounds amazing, I can't wait to try it. As for you Dave you should be ashamed of yourself, maybe it's time you turned your computer off and moved into the real world, so you can attempt to learn some compassion empathy and respect for others.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Kristen, I hope you enjoy it xx
Michelle says
This risotto looks so beautiful. Love the colour. Such a beautiful tribute to your mum.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Michelle xx
isn't it a fabulous bright colour, I think she would have loved it!
Dalia says
Claire your story really touched my heart. I wish that the survival rates were higher than that. I absolutely love the colour of that risotto. Looks so yum!
Dave your comment is so inappropriate. You have no right to judge anyone for their life story.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Dalia, I agree, I wish it was so much higher, but it is going up so we just have to keep raising awareness xxx
Meggan | Culinary Hill says
What a creative, delicious recipe! I am so sorry for your loss and now that I'm a mother myself, I am sad all the way to the depths of my soul. I am sure your mum is watching over you from Heaven, and the rest of us have your back here on the Internet. XXO
Claire McEwen says
Meggan, thank you. I love my FBC 'office', so full of support and people you know have your back xxxxx
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Allergy Friendly Eats says
What a lovely tribue to your mom - I am so sorry for your loss. This is such a beautiful dish, the color is stunning.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Kelly xx
Sarah says
This risotto is gorgeous! I learned to make risotto in Italy and an Italian Mama hilariously explained why we stir risotto in only one direction. I follow this advice and give to every person I talk to about risotto. Also, I find the act of stirring very therapeutic.
I'm sorry to hear about your mom, and I'm so happy for you that you've found strength through tragedy and seem to have a wonderful support system.
Claire McEwen says
I agree Sarah, I find making risotto therapeutic too!
I would love to spend a week cooking with some Italian Mamas and Nonnas. It would be a priceless experience!
Thank you, I am very lucky with the people I have in my life. They are amazing x
Molly Kumar says
Hi Claire, so sorry about your loss and it's really a life changing experience for the entire family. Your sharing the recipe for such a great cause is COMMENDABLE ! The risotto looks so fresh and delightful. Perfect for this time of the year and definitely believe in your Kitchen Therapy 🙂 Hugs, Molly
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Molly.
Yes life changing, and so long ago that I feel I can look back and say honestly how it changed my life.
xxx
Kylie says
Gorgeous recipe. However, I have to admit that I suffer beeturia- so I don't use beets that much! ? Perhaps Dave (the unpleasant crank who decided to accuse you of lying) should find another blog to follow, it is incredulously rude to make such unfounded and baseless comments and to be so disgustingly rude. Hopefully karma will bite him on the backside as he shuts the door on his way out!
Claire McEwen says
Hehe, I know exactly what you mean. Stew has a similar issue 😳
I love karma 🙂
Ginny McMeans says
My heart goes out to you in the biggest way. So sorry that you have lost your sweet mother. I think of my mom every day. Your pink risotto is gorgeous and you were so smart to use beets. A wonderful tribute to your best friend.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Ginny xx
Shell says
This dish looks so enticing! Thankyou for the recipe, Claire, I look forward to giving it a go!
Claire McEwen says
I hope you enjoy it Shell x