Risotto with balsamico vinegar and pecorino cheese

And so a new adventure will start for me and Boyfriend. A different country, back to the country that feels closest to "home": The Netherlands. A new job. What will never change is my love for food. I will still cook and blog about it. I will still be me, but I will bring back new experiences and I will apply these experiences in my life. The next couple of months will be a bit chaotic as we have to do a few things in Switzerland before we can finally "settle down" in The Netherlands. That means a lot of traveling back and forth and being tired. But also moving closer to family and good friends. I will try to enjoy every bit of it. 

To relax in these hectic days I watch cooking shows on You Tube. I am really into the fantastic television show of Antonio Carluccio and Gennaro Contaldo.  Did you ever watch it? No? You should! It's warm and funny. More importantly: you see how Italy has changed - food wise - over the years. It is good to see a contrast of the image of Italy that is still projected onto us. You know what I mean: the under-the-sun-tuscany life-style. Especially in American movies! Although I admit, I love to watch those American movies when I need to picture an innocent lifestyle where only food, love and sympathy counts....If you want to see what Italy has to offer nowadays I recommend you to watch on You Tube the show Two Greedy Italians

I bought the book, I had to! Although I think their show is better than their book. And the stories of Carluccio and Contaldo are so similar to every emigration story. People hold on to their country: how it was back then, when they left, but if they really open their eyes they see it's changed radically. I love that these two older, almost British, Italians are willing to open their eyes and see it. Although their recipes are rather traditional. Their book is about the food I love. Unadorned. Just an explosion of tastes, pure food.....

I want to share this recipe with you. A delicious, simple risotto with a fresh bite to it. Even elegant. It's even possible to make this risotto in times of stress. Especially in times of stress, when you need something to keep you going. 

Make the risotto like this basic risotto (for 2 persons) explained by me a long time ago. 

But, instead of the parmigiano use pecorino cheese and omit the butter. Read the recipe of the basic risotto and proceed like this: when the rice is almost cooked, add 75 gr of grated pecorino cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted. The rice should be done by now (taste the rice if you're not sure). Turn off the heat, put the lid on the pan and let the rice rest for 2 minutes. Scoop the risotto on the plates, drizzle with the balsamico vinegar and serve. It's amazing. 
Because all of the moving, stressing and traveling around it's not possible for me to upload a picture of this dish. Please, forgive me. I will make it up to you, next time.