Basmati Risotto with Grilled Prawns (Tomislav Restaurant)
Is it persistence or stubbornness? Maybe both?
When I have an idea in my head, I’ll do whatever it takes to get it (all within legal means of course!) and I never back down from a dare. Ever.
Every now and again these two traits can get me into trouble. Like the time I confidently told my sister that I could get ourselves into the Qantas First Class lounge only to be evicted twenty minutes later as we were about to take a sip of our coffees (she never has forgiven me for that).
But more often than not, I try to channel these traits more noble pursuits. Like finding a way to get a recipe for a dish I really enjoy, or getting a seat at a restaurant that is booked months in advance or experimenting with food or gadgets I’ve never used.
Introducing: Dare me…
This idea was born out of a conversation between me and my husband. We were having dinner at Tomislav Restaurant the other night and I was blown away with the Basmati Risotto with Yamba Prawns. “I wish there was a way to get my hands on this recipe.” I told him.
“I dare you ask the chef for it.” He said. “You seem to get your hands on many of the recipes you like.” he added. I wasn’t able to ask Chef Tomislav for the recipe that night (he had not yet arrived) but I managed to find the recipe anyway. I made this dish twice in two days. Yes, it was that good. The first time I made it over the stove top, adding the chicken stock gradually as you would a regular risotto. The next day I made the basmati risotto using the thermomix. I’m pleased to report both techniques work as well as each other.
So here’s the first of hopefully a series of posts called : Dare me.
If you’re looking for a recipe that you really love – then dare me to find it for you. Just drop me an email or a comment at the end of this post and I’ll turn your craving into a fun challenge and get you that coveted recipe!
Tomislav’s Basmati Risotto with Prawns
- 250 grams good quality Basmati Rice
- 1000 to 1500 ml good quality hot chicken stock (homemade is best)
- 125 grams unsalted butter
- 10 ml soy sauce
- 40 grams acidulated butter (see below)
- 2 tablespoons mascarpone
- Lemon Juice
- Chopped Nori roll (1 sheet)
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- 200 grams prawns, chopped
Regular Method
- Place the butter in a wide surfaced pan and melt. Add the rice and toast for around 3 minutes until the butter is slightly browned and nutty. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken stock (I only used 1000 ml but the recipe calls for 1500 ml) a little at a time and stir continuously for around 15 minutes. The rice will still have a little bite and remember that the dish will not be as creamy as a risotto using regular risotto rice.
- Once the rice is cooked, finish the dish by stirring in the soy sauce, acidulated butter, mascarpone, lemon juice, chopped nori roll and chives. Season with more salt and pepper if needed
- Grill the prawns and top the risotto with grilled prawns and grated lemon zest.
Using the Thermomix
FYI: I halved the recipe on the Thermomix
- Heat the butter at 100c on speed 3 for 2 minutes.
- Add the rice and heat for 5 minutes using the butterfly attachment on reverse and speed soft.
- Add the stock (I added 500 ml for 125 grams rice but feel free to add more stock if necessary towards the end of the cooking time) and continue to cook (butterfly attachment, reverse, speed soft) for 15 minutes.
- Add the soy, acidulated butter, mascarpone, lemon juice, nori and chives and give it another stir for 5 or so seconds on reverse, speed soft.
- Top with grilled prawns and lemon zest and serve immediately.
Acidulated Butter
- 100 grams unsalted butter
- 50 grams basmati rice
In a pan, melt the butter and add the rice and cook until nutty brown flavour is released. Pass this through a sieve. Set aside.
- 90 ml white wine
- 90 ml white wine vinegar
- 1/2 finely chopped onion
- 100 grams butter
Combine the onion, white wine and white wine vinegar and heat in a pan and reduce until the pan is almost dry. Take this off the heat and whisk in the butter until the butter is emulsified. Pass through a sieve.
Mix both butters and leave to set in the fridge for around 8 hours. You will have enough for several batches and this lasts a few days in the fridge.
Trissalicious 
[…] Basmati Risotto with Prawns […]
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. thanks
I love your dare idea. I would be SOOOOOO grateful if you could find the recipe for the italian egg scramble from Barcino in Dee Why. I live in the US now and crave that delicious breakfast. Thanks!
[…] Lessons from Tomislav – I’ve written previously about the fantastic time we had at Tomislav Restaurant. If you’re keen to learn how to cook some of Tomislav’s dishes – there will […]
oooohhh I love the “Dare me” concept….. hmmmm let me think….I’ll be in touch. I’m sure there is a recipe I want.
YUMMO…this looks and sounds divine.
It’s a really simple recipe but so yum I keep thinking of it… Caramel macadamia slice from New Orleans cafe at crows nest
Hi Trissa. I met you in one of your macaron classes. I love this new section of yours and would love to be able to get the Date and Caramel Tart of Etch.
Wow – a rival to GT 😀
Ok, here you go, on Ben’s behalf, I dare you!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/06/dining/06tacos.html?_r=1&hp
Awesome idea…., now I know the go to girl for finding out that hidden ingredient in recipes. Great post – love it when the prawns are placed rather than part of the dish.
YUM! This looks seriously heavenly. I love love risotto and this picture looks so creamy and delicious – especially with the shrimp!
What a badass idea! I would be too scared to ask 😛
The dish looks absolutely beautiful (and delicious)!
Mmm…this looks delicious! I’m like the complete opposite of you- I hate dares =S
But I love this! hehe….I always have things which I want the recipe for and can never find but I can’t think of any right now!! =( haha….have fun with these dares though!
Great choice. I missed out on when he did this dish with scallops but really liked the prawn version.
Ciao volevo ringraziarti per una ricetta che ho preso da tuo bellissimo blog e ora ho messo anche nel mio con un link di riferimento a te, grazie Stefania
la ricetta è la pasta con uovo e tartufo puoi trovare il tuo link al mio post :
http://coolchicstyleconfidential.blogspot.com/2010/10/tartufovo-di-armando-percuoco-piatto.html
Oooh…I love this risotto with my favourite here….prawns!! Looks very creamy and delicious…..yum. Now…my BIG request, Trissa! I’m so glad to drop by….just so timely…..to know that you can help. I really like that blubeery cake that I ate at London Heathrow airport lounge…still thinking of it. I have never liked a cake so much. I had just posted it yesterday. You can have a look at it…how it looks like and my description of it’s texture and taste. I have been trying but not anyway closer. I’m believing your word for it…to help me find…a challenge for you and a challenge for me to try further 😀 Thanks a zillion, Trissa!
This has got to be the best prawn risotto I have seen! You’re making me so hungry right now. And it’s interesting to see that you used basmati instead of say, arborio rice for this. Love it. Can’t think of anything to dare you at the moment, but I’ll stay tuned for the upcoming dares, lol
What an interesting recipe! Certainly I think the flavours would meld beautifully. I must try it!
Aha! this is the infamous basmati risotto… i shud try this.. lovely dish 🙂
Can you please please get me the recipe for double baked brie and crab souflle from Gambaros in Brisbane? I’m obsessed!
mmm this dish looks so yummy!! nori in risotto .. nice!
Lynette just sent me this link, Trissa! We ate at The Fat Duck in March . Best post I ever wrote, best photography ever taken – life alterning experience.
Amazing. THANK YOU!!
🙂
valerie
I love the Dare Me idea. A few weeks ago I had the best ever tiramisu at Jamies Italian in London. It seriously was the best I’ve ever had. I dare you to get the recipe!
What a wonderful dish, and the story behind it is kind of funny :). I love trying to recreate the great food I eat when I go out.
*kisses* HH
I have yet to try risotto. Yours looks so good.
Love the idea of this series, though I could already tell by many of your previous posts that you’re a girl with serious guts. This risotto looks delicious. I actually have yet to try a really stunning risotto (I actually don’t dine out often). Wonder if there are any amazing ones in Washington, DC.
You have to tell us more of the QANTAS lounge story!!
Looking at this dish, I can definitely believe it is worth making twice in two days.
I dare you to acquire the recipe for “Stef’s Champagnetini” drink served at THE CD CAFE located in Solomon, Maryland. Good luck!!!!
I need to make use of mascarpone and also basmati rice! Perfect… just need to get some prawns. LOL!
And totally intrigued with Acidulated Butter – what does this add to the dish?
Great recipe Trissa. Please tell me how you found the recipe? Give us an insight into your mad skills.
We know you by now Triss! 😉 But a big thank to you!! I probably won’t get to Tomislav soon (lazy!) but I will try this recipe first!! 😀
Trissa, where do you get the charm to ask for excellent recipes from famous restaurants?
This risotto looks so yummy that I want to sip a bit from it. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe. Keep your traits and pursuit more for us. 🙂
I think it is great that you got evicted from the Qantas First Class Lounge! Sounds like so much fun. Ummm… I’ll have to think of a recipe I’d adore and let you know.
Oooh, can’t wait to try this in the Thermomix! Never tried a basmati risotto! Thanks 🙂
The recipe looks delicious, I will have to give it a go, sans Thermoix :p Will also get brain working on a dare 🙂
OMG yum! I guess I know what I’m making this weekend *drools* I’ll have to think about what recipe I really want too…
Ah, this is the risotto you were telling me about- I should really try this. I am not going to dare you, for you are too fearless – whether you succeed in the dare or is besides the point- but I have no doubt that you will charge into a lion’s den if we ask you to.
your risotto looks fabulous and looking forward to your daring challenges!
I had this last night, the stove top version, wow, wow, wow, this was very very good!! I can’t rave about the flavors enough. I really loved the hint of lemon cming through with the delicate seafood flavors. Super! Well done tris!
Wow that was fast. It looks so delicious too. Hmm… definitely going to have to remember the Dare You challenge in future!
I am sooooooooo glad you are finally posting all these recipes from great Australian chefs! Never thought basmati rice will make good risotto. It’s good news because basmati rice has lower GI than risotto rice. Can’t wait for more. You know what I am waiting… date….tart….prawn…..shumai LOL
Can you halve the Acidulated Butter if you only intend making it for this dish?
Presumably you only halved the TMX version for a smaller batch?
Hi Meggy! I definitely think you can cut the acidulated butter in half. I made two batches and I still have some left over. In fact, what an excellent idea from you. Yes I only made half a batch using the thermomix because it was going to only be for me and my husband.