Spiced Pear Risotto

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Cook: 35 min.

Makes

10 servings

Updated: Jun. 27, 2023
We love risotto and are always in search of fun and different ways to prepare it. I like to serve this fruity version with pork tenderloin.—Kim Berto, Port Orchard, Washington
Spiced Pear Risotto Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet onion
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cups uncooked arborio rice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • Dash cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup apple cider or juice
  • 1 large pear, peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
  • Chopped chives, optional

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, heat broth and keep warm. In a Dutch oven, saute the onion, red pepper and garlic in butter until tender, about 3 minutes.
  2. Add the rice, five-spice powder and cayenne; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; add cider. Cook and stir until all the liquid is absorbed.
  3. Add warm broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly. Allow the liquid to absorb between additions. Cook just until risotto is creamy and rice is almost tender. (Cooking time is about 25 minutes.)
  4. Add the pear, 1/4 cup cheese and pepper; cook and stir until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. If desired, top with chopped chives.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 293 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 675mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.