In the new season of Oprah: Where Are They Now?, cast mates from the beloved '80s television series, The Love Boat, reunite to cook up some food and reminisce with Oprah Winfrey about life aboard The Pacific Princess!
Cynthia Lauren Tewes, who played Cruise Director Julie McCoy on the long-running show, shares with Closer her divine risotto recipe that she made for the reunion.
Tune in this Sunday, June 8 at 9 pm ET/PT on OWN to see the cast's full interview. It's the perfect time to try Cynthia's dish for yourself!
Ingredients (Feeds a small film crew of 6-8)
2 cups Arborio rice
6-8 cups chicken broth (homemade is best)
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons shallot diced fine
Olive oil
Black pepper and salt to taste
3/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Directions (Time: 20-30 minutes)
Heat the broth to a simmer in a pot.
In a separate pot on medium heat, add the olive oil, let it heat, add the rice and stir to coat with the oil. Stir with a wooden spoon and let the rice heat up and toast a little. Maybe 3-5 minutes.
Add the diced shallot, and the white wine [it will sizzle]. Stir until the wine is absorbed [this will be quick], add a large ladle or two of warm broth to the pan and stir (Risotto is about the stirring and slowly adding the liquid as it is absorbed into the rice).
Season with some black pepper and a little salt [the cheese is going to provide most of the salt later].
When the broth is nearly absorbed, add another ladle of broth and stir until it is absorbed. Repeat for about 20 minutes. Taste the rice for doneness.
Cynthia says: "I like my risotto creamy, some people prefer a bit of firmness to the rice. Make it the way you like it!"
When the risotto is close to done, add about a 1/4 cup of cheese, stir in. Take the risotto off the heat when you like the doneness [it will continue to cook when it is off the heat].
Check the seasoning — add more black pepper if needed — and another 1/4 cup of cheese. Stir to incorporate.
Serve the hot risotto over a bed of cool fresh baby arugula and top with more cheese.
Warning: Risotto is delicious and fills you up so start with a small serving at first!
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