There is no pill for stupid! These words seem to be leaving my mouth more and more often as I deal with people who just are not bright enough to be in the jobs they are in. The biggest problem I have is with one particular sales lady at a shop I frequent on a monthly basis. She might have all the necessary educational qualifications to have her job, and she might have received all the training that the company offers. But no-one can teach her to listen. And she provides the stupidest answers to my queries, and has no sales instincts what so ever. I recently decided that it was time to change from using a 2-in-1 face powder that works as a foundation, to an actual foundation. And whereas the decision to make the change was simple, choosing the new product was not that simple. There are so many variations of foundation available and I wanted some guided information. This young sales lady told me that she would recommend a standard foundation, and then to use the face powder I am currently using over that! So much for her listening that I no longer wanted to use the product. So I left the store and went back when she was not there. I was then given a sample of a different foundation to the one she suggested, and tried that out the next day. As I liked the feel of the product on my skin, but not the packaging I went back. The second sales lady was there to help and together we worked out what would work for me. I left with a foundation in a packaging that will travel well, as well as some mineral face powder which I was told came with a brush. The sale itself was handled by the first sales lady, and she worked out that it was better for me to receive the buy 3 pay for 2 special, as opposed to the spend R350 and get R100 off. I was still busy with the second sales lady talking about night cream and did not pay attention to the sale being rung up. So, her stupidity cost me R25! Not a lot of money in the big scheme of things, but enough to frustrate me. When I got home I discovered that there was no brush with the powder. So it was back to the Mall and only the first sales lady was on duty. When I asked about the brush she told me no, it doesn’t come with one. And that was it – no offer to sell me one, or to deal with the fact I had been given the wrong information. Luckily for me, I have the brush I need at home. What I did not have at home was a book with a recipe in it for baked risotto. I had to use my instincts to create this dish, and I was really impressed with the results. By following this recipe for baked risotto you can serve this to dinner guests without having to be in the kitchen slaving away over a pan.
Baked Risotto
Ingredients
- 500 mls vegetable stock
- 20 g dried mushrooms
- 150 g tomatoes on the vine (total weight)
- 5 cloves garlic, lightly crushed (paper left on)
- 15 mls olive oil, plus extra for sprinkling
- 32 g butter, divided
- 1 large leek, thinly sliced
- 50 g guanciale or good quality bacon, thinly sliced
- 200 g risotto rice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
- 125 mls white wine
- 30 g Parmesan, grated
- 10 basil leaves, chiffonade
- Truffle oil for drizzling
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200° Celsius
- Place the vegetable stock into a saucepan
- Bring to the boil, remove from the heat and set aside
- Add the mushrooms to rehydrate
- Place the tomatoes and garlic into an oven proof dish
- Sprinkle with olive oil and season well
- Place the oil and 12g butter into a casserole dish that has a lid
- Allow to heat up over a moderate temperature
- Add the leek and sauté until soft
- Add the guanciale and cook until the fat renders out
- Add the rice and give a good stir
- Season well and leave to toast
- Add the wine and stir to incorporate
- Leave to cook until the wine has been absorbed
- Strain off the stock, reserving the mushrooms
- Add the stock to the rice and stir well
- Cover the casserole and place into the oven
- Bake for 30 minutes
- While it is baking, chop the mushrooms
- Remove the casserole from the oven and set aside
- Place the tomatoes into the oven and cook for 5 minutes
- Add the butter to the risotto and stir through
- Add the Parmesan to the risotto and stir through
- Remove the tomatoes from the oven and pick them off the stalks
- Add the mushrooms and to the risotto and mix to combine
- Adjust the seasoning and serve with the basil leaves and truffle oil to garnish
Click on the links for conversions and notes.
Blog-checking lines: For the month of October, Sawsan from chef in disguise challenged us to prepare a rice based main meal that represents our own culture, or one from a cuisine that we would like to explore
What I blogged October 15:
- one year ago – The Family Cook Book
- two years ago – Salted Caramel
- three years ago – Nut And Seed Bread
- four years ago – Something Sweet Challenge
- five years ago – Crayfish With Cheese And Mushroom Sauce
Hahaha! You made me LOL! I really wish there was a pill for stupid people.
It sounds like one heck of an experience to get some new makeup. Far out, I would prob find another store if that was what one had to go through.
I’ve got so much rice in my cupboard lately, this dish will be welcome in my house for sure. 🙂
Anna, we have so few choices here it is sad!
Sounds very frustrating Tandy! Sorry to hear about all of the troubles that you had buying something so simple! I don’t mind baked risotto especially when you’re in a hurry.
It is totally a winner when time is not on your side 🙂
Tandy, what a lovely recipe to use up the rest of my summer tomatoes which are sadly dwindling on the vine. I was looking for something special to make this weekend with the um, snow coming!! Anyhow, I agree on people not listening. Just wait until the clerk who didn’t listen that you didn’t want to use that product tries to make change. They can’t! And forget about asking anyone for directions.
My tomatoes are dwindling as the dogs keep eating them! Stay warm 🙂
How frustrating!!!
The risotto looks amazing. I’ve never tried baking it before.
So worth doing when you are having a busy day 🙂
Oh, so know what you mean about people who don’t listen and it seems to be getting worse! But this risotto is certainly a winner – no complaints here:-)
These meals make a bad day end well 🙂
Hi Tandy, your risotto looks amazing, love the fact that it is baked.
Being the first attempt, I was really pleased with the way it turned out 🙂
Gah! So annoying! I love your risotto!
Thanks Liz 🙂
It seems so easy to make plus your presentation is just perfect! 🙂
Thanks Agness 🙂
You just can’t fix stupid… ! LOL However, you can make a marginal day into a fantastic day with a cozy comforting bowl of risotto. I have never baked my risotto before will have give that a try.
Hope you enjoy this method Bobbi 🙂
Hahaha, there is no pill for stupid! This baked risotto looks super stunning and delicious, Tandy. Happy Weekend! 🙂
Thanks Anu, and hope you had a happy weekend as well 🙂
I’ve always wanted to attempt baked risotto, looks so good.
Thanks, and so easy 🙂
When anyone uses their instincts on the dish, it will always turn out wonderful. Wonderful dish Tandy.
Thank you Kia 🙂
This sounds delicious, Tandy. Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
My pleasure 🙂
Ah the elusive good sales service, especially in those types of stores. I do like your cooking instincts, never tried to bake risotto before, looks yummy.
it was very yummy indeed 🙂
That looks wonderful, Tandy! There’s nothing in it I don’t like, but I especially like leeks and dried mushrooms.
My favourites as well Jean 🙂
Never even thought about this baked version risotto before, tempting to try!
Hope you do!
This looks absolutely amazing. I love that this is baked as opposed to being cooked for hours upon end upon the stove top – genius!
Thanks Lucie 🙂
What a great looking dish. Making me hungry.
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That’s a good thing!
At least the risotto made up for the bad service. Looks delicious Tandy and easier than stove top risotto. 🙂
Much easier for sure 🙂
Oh, Tandy, this really looks delicious – I love risotto but usually order it while eating out. I’ve never made it at home but you’ve inspired me to give it a shot. Thanks.
Hope it tastes as good as the ones you order Susan 🙂
I have never tried a baked risotto; is it as nice and creamy as a “normal” risotto?
For sure, and much easier to make 🙂
Ooh, incompetent, uninterested or uninformed sales staff drive me crazy – and they seem to be more frequently found these days. Don’t companies understand that they will sell more if they invest in decent sales people?
This lovely recipe reminds me of a baked risotto recipe I have languishing somewhere. Might be time to dig it out!
I agree, there are so many companies around that could benefit from having the right sales staff! Looking forward to your recipe for baked risotto Amanda 🙂
Seriously Tandy, I often wonder how some people get through the day!!! 🙂 Incompetence drives me batty! Thanks for this recipe – I any easy baked dishes so will give this a try, Jan x
They drive me batty as well Jan xx
I’m very surprised when people like that choose to work in sales. How they manage to meet their sales quotas is beyond me. Sorry you were inconvenienced Tandy. I can imagine how frustrating it is!
I doubt they have sales quotas! Seems stupid is going to be my catchphrase this month 🙂
I’m excited about this recipe Tandy. I don’t have time to make it on the stove anymore and I love it.
I am so glad you will be able to make a dish you really enjoy 🙂