Sausage and Tomato Risotto

Risotto...

For some reason "risotto" intimidates people.

Not this girl though! 

I absolutely LOVE anything rice wise, it doesn't really matter what.

 I mean, I am half Korean, could that have something to do with it?!  

Perhaps... 

The first risotto that I ever decided to make was a mushroom-parmesan risotto recipe I found on Pinterest and it was pretty delicious. Since then, I realized that the combos are endless really because rice goes well with almost anything!

I probably look like a serious blog-stalker, I have been looking at and cooking so many of the recipes Emily Bites  has been putting up on her blog lately! Coincidentally, Lol, this recipe is also one of hers and Mr.Hooah & I love this as much as we do all of the other recipes by her that we have tried! 

Although, I do have to say that I think this one, so far, is my FAVORITE! 

The white wine and the rich tomato'ey sausage taste paired with the arborio rice (it is a short-grain Italian rice) which absorbs all those good flavors and pulls this dish together... It is seriously just DIVINE!

We shop on base at the commissary and if you grocery shop on payday, you better get there early because a lot of times they have already ran out of stock of some things, such as the turkey sausage we needed for this recipe.

 Usually, we get turkey sausage, bacon, and ground turkey in place of the regular stuff because it is a way we can eat a little healthier... my newest addiction though is the Hillshire Farm Cajun Chicken Sausage, SO GOOD! 

Anywho, this time we had to settle for Johnsonville Hot Italian sausage...

OH HOT DAMN people! 

It was actually really good and SO AMAZING in this recipe! And there wasn't any bother with removing casings etc... of course Mr.Hooah loved it, so we definitely recommend it! 

Ok, so now back to the whole risotto being intimidating to most people... 
DON'T LET IT! 
Let me be completely honest...
Yes, it sounds super fancy and yes to some it sounds complicated, but you guys... it isn't! It is really just about patience, that's it! Waiting for the liquid to absorb so you can add in more liquid and repeating of the process.
 And oh, what a delicious process it is! Lol. 

You can find the original recipe here Sausage & Tomato Risotto. It is a serious must try and I recommend this for when you want that "MMMMM..." kind of food goodness! Enjoy you guys!

-XO 

Sausage & Tomato Risotto

1 (28oz.) can of diced tomatoes in juice
3 c. water
¾ lb hot Italian turkey sausage, casings removed 

1 small onion, finely chopped
Salt & Pepper, to taste
1 c. uncooked Arborio rice
½ c. dry white wine
9oz. fresh spinach, chopped (I used frozen, that I popped in the microwave!)
½ c. grated Parmesan cheese
2 TBSP. light butter (I used Move Over Butter)

• Combine the tomatoes and their juices with the water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Turn heat to low to keep the mixture warm until needed.
• In a large pot or saute pan, combine sausage and chopped onion, add salt & pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat, breaking the sausage up with a wooden spoon until meat is brown and onions have softened. Add the rice and stir to coat the rice and combine. Cook for 1-2 mins and then add in the wine. Stir until wine is absorbed about 1-2mins.
• Add two cups of the tomato mixture to the rice and stir. Turn the heat down to a simmer (medium-low heat) and cook until liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Add another cup and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed. Continue, one cup of liquid at a time until all of the tomato liquid has been added and absorbed. Rice will be tender and creamy. Add the chopped spinach and stir in until combined. Cook for another 1-2 mins until spinach is wilted and combined.
• Remove risotto from heat, add the butter and cheese. Stir until thoroughly mixed. 
• Serve immediately.