Creamy Tomato Risotto

A budget rice dish flavored with rosemary, basil and sweet cherry tomatoes. An ideal midweek supper.

Ingredients

• 400g can chopped tomato
• 1l vegetable stock
• knob of butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil 
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 rosemary sprig, finely chopped
• 250g risotto rice 
• 300gcherry tomato, halved
• small pack basil roughly torn
• 4 tbsp grated parmesan

Method

• STEP 1. Tip the chopped tomatoes and half the stock into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Pour into a saucepan with the remaining stock, bring to a gentle simmer and keep over a low heat.
• STEP 2. Meanwhile, place the butter and oil in the base of a large saucepan and heat gently until the butter has melted. Add the onion and gently cook for 6-8 mins until softened. Stir in the garlic and rosemary, then cook for 1 min more. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 1 min.
• STEP 3. Start adding the hot stock and tomato mixture about a quarter at a time. Let the risotto cook, stirring often, adding more stock as it is absorbed. After you have added half the stock, add the cherry tomatoes. After 20-25 mins, the rice should be creamy and tender, the cherry tomatoes softened and all of the stock should be used up.
• STEP 4. Cover and leave for 1 min, then stir in the basil. Serve sprinkled with Parmesan and a good grinding of black pepper.