Lemon Risotto

Ingredients:

1 quart chicken stock
2 cups water
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small to medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
1 cup Arborio rice
1 lemon
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese, a couple of handfuls
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

In a large pot, heat the stock and 2 cups water over medium low heat.

In a risotto pot or large skillet with a rounded bottom, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic to pan and saute to soften 3 to 4 minutes Stir in the rice and add the zest of the lemon. Heat the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, then add the wine and cook until evaporated. Add in the hot stock, a few ladles at a time, and stir for a minute with each addition, to develop the starch and the creamy aspect. Total cooking time will be about 18 minutes or so. Keep adding stock each time the pan starts to become dry at the edges.

While the rice cooks, juice the lemon and strain out any seeds. Sprinkle juice with a 1/2 teaspoon sugar. When rice is cooked to al dente, stir in the butter, lemon juice, and the cheese.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and transfer to a serving bowl. Serve immediately.