Caprese Risotto with Ham 

Total time: 25 minutes
   The Condimenti in this risotto is added at the last minute and not heated through.  We want to keep both the mozzarella balls and the tomatoes intact, and the basil leaves crisp and green.

 Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup (4.2oz, 125gr) Arborio rice (or other rice specifically for risotto - Carnaroli or Vialone Nano)
• 1/2 cup (4oz, 120ml) dry, white wine
• 2 1/4 cups (18oz, 540ml) chicken stock
• 1 small onion
• 1 tbs butter
• 1/3 cup (1.5oz, 45gr) Parmesan cheese - freshly grated
• Condimenti:
• 10 cherry tomatoes
• 14 small balls fresh mozzarella
• 6oz (180gr) ham
• handful fresh basil leaves

 Instructions:

• Heat chicken stock and keep hot over low heat.
• Chop onion.
• In medium sauce pan heat butter; add onion and sauté until tender. 
• Add rice and sauté, stirring, for 2 - 3 minutes until rice has white center. Add white wine and stir.
• Prepare Condimenti:
• Cut cherry tomatoes in half. 
• Cut ham into small pieces. 
• Tear large basil leaves. 
• When rice has almost absorbed all the wine add a 1/3 cup of stock, stir. (No need to stir constantly but do stir from time to time.) When stock is almost absorbed add another 1/3 cup and continue adding 1/3 cup at a time and stirring. 
• Before you add the last 1/3 cup taste a few kernels of rice. They should be just 'al dente' - slightly resistant to the tooth but fully cooked. If more stock is needed add it a few tbs at a time and waiting until almost completely absorbed.
• At this point risotto will be thick but not stiff - there will still be visible liquid and it will not hold its shape on a plate. 
• Add the condimenti, Parmesan, spoon into a bowl or risotto platter and serve immediately.

It will continue to absorb liquid and the leftovers (if any) will be quite stiff. The risottos that we have eaten in northern Italy have all been served in soup plates (flattish bowls) and eaten with a spoon - not a fork.