I’m sure you have all been on the edge of your seats, waiting to hear of my progress up the allotment waiting list. Well, big news here, I have a plot! I’ve been pretty lucky to inherit a patch that’s been well-cared for until recently, compared to some of the weed forests that are also up for grabs. In fact I’ve been pretty lucky full-stop, considering that I live in London where some waiting lists are 40 years long and people even put their children down to secure an allotment for their future middle age!
So, here it is, in all its glory:
In some ways it’s a great time of year to get an allotment; plenty of time to dig, prepare and plan for next season. But I’m also itching to get going (growing – ha!) Fortunately I have some bits and bobs in the garden to be getting on with, some of which are just coming into their own at this time of year. Radicchio is one of those crops.
Now, it’s looking very pretty but I must confess that I don’t really know what I’m doing. Planted during the summer, it first grew hairy green leaves which have gradually come away to reveal these shiny little red hearts. Should I be blanching it? Or forcing it? I really have no idea so I thought I would try instead to eat it. This recipe calls for the bitter leaves of radicchio married with a creamy, fruity, washed rind cheese. Italians would plump for Taleggio but I went for Durrus.
Durrus is made by Jeffa Gill in County Cork, an area with the perfect climate for washed rinds – damp and briny from the sea. It is influenced by Swiss techniques, using a Swiss copper vat and a Swiss harp. The curds are drained in their moulds to retain some moisture and then brined, turned and washed up to five times a day. The smell is as pungent as you would expect but as with most washed rinds, the taste is far more pleasant and a welcome contrast to the bitter radicchio.
Ingredients (serves two)
1 small head radicchio, finely shredded (mine was a mixture of red and green leaves)
1 small red onion, finely chopped
200g arborio rice
1 small glass red wine
1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
Olive oil and butter
110g Durrus or another washed rind cheese, rind removed and cut into small pieces
Parmesan to serve
Add a splash of olive oil and a knob of butter to a frying pan and fry the radicchio until soft. Add the onion to the pan and fry until soft. Add the rice and cook it for one minute, ensuring that it’s covered in the hot oil. Add the red wine and let it evaporate, stirring constantly.
Add the hot stock, a ladle at a time. Keep stirring and adding stock as it evaporates, which should take 15-20 minutes.
When the rice has become creamy but still retains bite, add the Durrus and a large knob of butter and stir through with another splash of stock until the cheese melts. Serve hot with a light sprinkling of Parmesan.
Fromage Homage 
I predict large numbers of gardening books, gloves and tools in your Christmas stocking this year! Happy digging – and cooking. The risotto (and that cheese) looks delicious.
Yes, I rather predict the same… The risotto was good but the bitter leaves I think are an acquired taste. I used some green ones but am wondering if the hearts that have now appeared would be better. Have you ever grown radicchio?
Sorry for the late reply, just saw this. No, never grown radicchio, I’m not a huge fan. I really must develop more sophisticated tastes.
Congrats on getting your allotment. This sounds delicious! I love Durrus but then again I do like to keep things local 🙂
Ah, there must be so many great cheese near you then, especially all those washed rinds 🙂
Yes, we’re pretty lucky here alright!
Bet it was delicious with Durrus…. love Durrus.
Gosh. Everyone loves Durrus. Now all I need to do is find some somewhere. Best move to London…. or Ireland?
It’s a nice cheese if you like a stinky one. x
Oh, yes. Stinky is good.
Congratulations on getting your plot. Looking forward to lots of future posts involving interesting cheeses and home grown veg 🙂
Thanks! I may need your slug advice as it’s an organic-only plot and they are hungry beasts…
Hope for a good cold spell this winter, which will kill some of them off. Beyond that, I would recommend nematodes. I use Nemaslug. It doesn’t kill them off completely but it does seem to keep down the numbers. 🙂
Congratulations!!! You’re going to have so much fun xx
Haha, it doesn’t feel like it on a freezing day like this!
No, it probably doesn’t!!!
Are you going to the Good Food Show next weekend?
No, I can’t make it this year unfortunately 😦
What a shame 😦 I hope you’re well xx
This sounds fantastic! And I now have permission to use red wine in a risotto. Thank you. 🙂
Ha! You have my permission to use red wine when/wherever you like!