Butternut Squash Risotto, and more of San Francisco

I almost totally forgot that, before I left for the 3rd Annual Blogger Festival, I did make a fabulous Butternut Squash Risotto, and I was reminded by my daughter Lora to be sure to post my risotto for the month of November, which is the SQUASHLOVE MONTH!  So, I'm linking this to the wonderful squash recipes that other bloggers have participated in, before the month is over.!

I love risotto so much, but I rarely make it, because Lora makes it often, as do Fabrizio, her executive chef hubby. He makes the most amazing seafood risotto, which really is my all-time favorite!

If you don't think this is the most perfect Butternut Squash Risotto, you've ever seen, or might have tasted...then I can personally come to your house to make it for you, just to prove it! As you can see for yourself, each grain of rice is perfect, and separated...yet, still the right amount of crunchiness on the inside! The flavor is, divine...I promise you, that!

I must sound like a broken record because, time, and time again, I keep bringing up Mark Bittman's Cookbook. As for me, it's like a "bible"...and a thrift find, which I have been bragging about, over, and over again! This is the basic book, where I adapted my Butternut Squash Risotto from.

Although, the recipe calls for Risotto with Vegetables, I followed the recipe, only to substitute vegetables, for butternut squash...therefore, adapting it that way.

Butternut Squash Risotto
adapted by me: from Mark Bittman's Risotto w/vegetables

4 to 6 cups, chicken, beef, or vegetable stock
2 Tbsp. butter, or extra virgin olive oil
plus 2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bunch curly parsley, chopped
1 1/2 cups Arborio  rice
4 cups cubed, peeled, butternut squash, about. 2 lbs.
Salt, and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/2 cup dry white wine
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1/3 cup)

Warm the stock over medium heat. Place the butter, or oil ( I used oil)... in a large saucepan or skillet, preferably non-stick, and turn the heat to medium.

When it's hot, add the chopped onion, the small cubed butternut squash, and cook stirring occasionally, until onion and squash is softened...about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the rice, and stir until it is coated with butter. Add a little salt, and pepper, then, the white wine. Stir, and let the liquid bubble away!





Begin to add the stock, 1/2 cup or so, at a time, stirring after each addition. When the stock is just about evaporated, add more. The mixture should be neither soupy, nor dry. Keep the heat to med. to med. high, and stir frequently! (Constant stirring is not necessary.)










Begin, tasting the rice after 20 min. after you add it; you want it to be tender but with still a tiny bit of crunch. It could take as long as 30 minutes to get to this stage.

When it does, add the 2 Tbsp. softened butter, a handful of the chopped parsley, and Parmesan. Check the seasoning, adjust if necessary, and serve immediately, with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
4 to 6 servings.

When you are on your own, after the Blogger Festival, you can catch the Open Top Sightseeing Bus right across, from the Grand Hyatt Hotel, by Macy's, at Union Square.

It costs $35. for a 24hr. pass, and you can save money by purchasing your ticket for $31. right at the hotel. It takes you, right around the city, and back. You can get off at designated stops, and catch another bus every 15 minutes to continue...just don't lose your pass!

Sights that I captured from the open top bus!

The bus makes 22 stops, where you can get off, and back on again, at the designated stops. This is about # 9 stop. Alamo Square.

I just love the Victorian style houses that they have all over San Francisco!

The ever famous HAIGHT-ASHBURY streets, from the sixties "hippie" era! Still, almost untouched, and the same. Old "burned" out hippies roaming the streets.

Would have love to get off the bus here, but would have to walk from # 10 stop, or backtrack from # 9. Did see a Goodwill store, right along the way!

My heart goes out to unfortunate homeless people like this poor man...his entire life in that shopping cart, and trash bags. So sad!

We're approaching the Golden Gate Bridge!

In the far distance, you can see Alcatraz. Too bad I didn't zoom in with the camera, for a closer shot!

I'm leaving you with this last magnificent view of the way back, from the Golden Gate Bridge. Good thing I had my nice royal blue windbreaker jacket. The weather was clear, sunny, and beautiful, but oh, so windy, and chilly!

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