Getting Started: First Recipe

As of Jan. 6, 2012, I have 521 pins. Not as many as some of my friends, more than most of my friends, and  a whole lot to get through by myself! So, let's get started with one of the first recipes I made from Southern Living, Oven Chicken Risotto.

I made this in August 2011. The summer of 2011 in Texas was one of the driest and hottest on record. Late August is also when my kids start school (I go back in early August). When school starts, I am beat. Plus, driving the whole 7 minutes from my school to home during the hottest part of the day can really wear me out! I thought this risotto would be the perfect meal - easy and good for hot weather.

The recipe calls for deli-roasted chicken. I love this! It is so easy to stop by the store, grab a chicken, skin it and shred it. Unless I'm going to Wal-Mart between 4 and 6 p.m. (which I was) and the chickens are still cooking (which they were), and all of the previously cooked chickens are gone (which they were). I think this is Wal-Mart's ploy to get me to shop and spend more money. It works, sadly.

I made two changes, both with the cheese. First, why would I need to buy a block of cheese and chop it up when I can just shake out Wal-Mart shredded mozzarella? Second, after reading the reviews, I grabbed some cheese, threw it on the risotto, and baked the dish until the cheese melted.

The reviews? I liked it and thought it was perfect for hot weather and easy to put together. Jim said he would eat it again. J looked at it and made himself a ham sandwich. R tried it and probably would again. So overall, I would make it again.