Unheard of.

Risotto. I'd heard of it, but I didn't know exactly what it was and I definitely had never had it before. Until this week, I knew of only brown rice and white rice.  Short grain rice and long grain rice. Arborio rice? I had to go to Safeway to get it because the closest store to me doesn't carry it. Safeway has officially become my "If I've never heard of it, they will carry it store". Guess what? They had it!

"White Bean Risotto" (6 quart pot)

~1 19oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
~1/3 c finely chopped onion
~1 c arborio rice
~1 14oz can veggie broth
~1/2 c water
~1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes, drained
~1/2 c shredded parmesan cheese
~1 t dried parsley (the original recipe called for 3 T fresh. I thought I had some leftover from last week, but I was wrong, so I substituted.)

Spray crock pot with PAM.
Place beans and onions in crock pot.
Mix rice, broth, and water in medium microwave safe bowl.
Microwave until just boiling (about 3 minutes).
Pour mixture over beans and onion.
Cover and cook on low for 3 1/2 hours.
Stir in tomatoes, cheese, and parsley.

5 servings.

This was awesome. This is another meal my other half has demanded I make more often. I'm already thinking of other versions of risotto I can make. Look at me eating rice and beans together and actually liking it. Who am I and what did I do with myself?