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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Italian Main Courses

    Tomato and Shrimp Risotto with Ouzo and Feta

    Published: Jun 3, 2012 · Modified: Nov 28, 2018 by Marissa Stevens · 18 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Early in the spring, some cute little birds were driving us crazy. Keith and I sat in our office while they pecked away at the cedar shingles on our house, trying to puncture their way to a nest. We tried pounding on the windows, squirting them with water, and hanging a ridiculous, twirling butterfly windsock in failed attempts to scare them away. Ultimately we prevailed with a strand of red and silver flash tape strung along the eaves.

    Tomato and Shrimp Risotto with Ouzo and Feta

    Midway in our plight, Keith built a little bird house and attached it to a tree outside our office window. We read that sometimes, if you provide a house, the birds will abandon their destructive efforts. They didn't show a hint of interest.

    A wasted effort? As it turns out, no.

    Squirrel Snoozing on the Bird House

    We've been spending more hours than we'd like in our office, pecking away at our keyboards. The other day we noticed this little guy snoozing on the roof.

    When we're working long hours, I lose motivation to cook new things and often lean on familiar dishes. But I couldn't shake the urge to make a dish that Louisa, of The Wednesday Chef, posted recently - Diane Kochilas' Tomato, Oregano and Feta Risotto. A few things intrigued me: fresh tomato in risotto, the combination of tomato and ouzo, and the swap of feta for Parmesan. The idea somersaulted in my mind, mixed with my unusual method for making risotto - short grain brown rice partially cooked instead of white arborio, and melded with a couple of other flavors I was craving.

    When Louisa said this is a 'flavor bomb', she wasn't kidding. Though I used water instead of broth as she mused, I added punch with briny kalamata olives and buttery rich prawns, so it hardly softened the blow. It's the kind of meal (like these Shrimp Tacos too) where you relish every bite and finish utterly satisfied.

    Tomato and Shrimp Risotto with Asparagus

    Tomato and Shrimp Risotto with Ouzo and Feta

    Marissa Stevens
    Inspired by Louisa of The Wednesday Chef by way of Diane Kochilas.
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 507 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup short grain brown rice
    • 1 pint ripe grape tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2 large shallots finely chopped
    • ½ cup warm water
    • ⅓ cup ouzo our favorite has a prominent black #12 on the label
    • ½ cup crumbled feta
    • ½ cup kalamata olives pitted and coarsely chopped
    • zest of 1 lemon
    • 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • ½ cup slivered fresh basil leaves
    • chive flowers for garnish optional

    Instructions
     

    • Partially cook short grain brown rice in a rice cooker or saucepan using ½ cup less liquid than called for on the package. Cook for about 10 minutes less than the package directs, leaving the rice slightly under-cooked. If you are using a rice cooker, use the white rice instead of brown rice setting.
    • Add tomatoes to the bowl of a food processor or blender pitcher and pulse until nearly pureed, leaving some small pieces; reserve.
    • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; cook and stir until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add partially cooked rice; cook and stir to coat with olive oil, about 1 minute. Add warm water and ouzo; stir until absorbed, about 3 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes; cook and stir until tomato has softened and liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes. Add feta, kalamata olives, and lemon zest; cook and stir until feta has melted, about 1 minute. Add shrimp; cook and stir until shrimp is pink and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Check flavor; add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
    • Transfer to serving platter and sprinkle with fresh basil and chive flowers if desired. Serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 507kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 31gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 302mgSodium: 1364mgPotassium: 575mgFiber: 4gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1290IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 305mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Italian Main Courses

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lemon says

      June 08, 2012 at 8:37 am

      This looks like a lovely risotto, reading your recipe, I get hungry. Beautiful photos you have here.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 08, 2012 at 10:01 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    2. OishiiTreats says

      June 07, 2012 at 1:38 pm

      Beautiful pic of your risotto, I love that you used brown rice, I do the same =) sorry to hear about the lil bird problem, hopefully they will take notice of the cute lil bird house on the tree just for them.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 08, 2012 at 10:03 am

        Thank you - maybe they'll find the house next year. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Susan says

      June 04, 2012 at 10:28 pm

      Wow! What a great combination of flavors! And - it looks gorgeous, too!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 05, 2012 at 11:36 am

        Hi Susan - thank you!

        Reply
    4. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says

      June 04, 2012 at 2:17 pm

      I make brown rice risotto all the time too! Tomato and feta cheese, that´s a superb combination.
      I gave you a One Lovely Blog Award. You can check it out in my blog

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 05, 2012 at 11:35 am

        Thanks so much Paula - I checked it out on your site. So nice!

        Reply
    5. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      June 04, 2012 at 1:54 pm

      That looks really wonderful and I like how you have it with shrimp too! 😀 Love your little snoozing visitor 😉

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 05, 2012 at 11:35 am

        Isn't he a cutie. Yes, the shrimp are so good...

        Reply
    6. Eileen says

      June 04, 2012 at 12:27 pm

      I was going to ask if this was a touch too sweet, with the tomato and shrimp--but then I saw the olives and feta! A perfect balance. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 05, 2012 at 11:34 am

        Hi Eileen - it is a nice balance, though very rich!

        Reply
    7. Reem | Simply Reem says

      June 04, 2012 at 5:04 am

      Delicious!!!
      That shrimp tangled with creamy risotto, OMG!!! Absolute deliciousness...
      B/W I love ur stove, I have been thinking of getting one of these for my kitchen 😉 SO open ...

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 04, 2012 at 12:09 pm

        Thanks Reem - we got the range-top not too long ago and I really enjoy it.

        Reply
    8. Giovanna says

      June 04, 2012 at 12:37 am

      It's time for breakfast, but your photos are so " realistiche" that i'd like to try your risotto right now !!!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 04, 2012 at 12:06 pm

        Thanks G! Fly on over and I'll make some for you. 🙂

        Reply
    9. Simply Life says

      June 03, 2012 at 5:41 pm

      this dish sounds incredible and your photos are absolutely stunning!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        June 04, 2012 at 12:05 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply

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