Chipotle Butternut Squash Risotto

chipotlericeCotija

Chipotle Butternut Squash Risotto

Chipotle Butternut Squash Risotto

Risotto de Calabaza al Chipotle

Recipe Yield

6 Servings

Cooking time

1 hour 10 minutes

Rate this recipe

4.20 from 5 votes

Ingredients

  • 1 butternut squash (2 to 3 pounds) peeled seeded, cut into 1/4” dice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil plus 3 tablespoons
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt divided, or to taste
  • 6 to 7 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup requesón or mascarpone cheese
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sauce from chipotles in adobo
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 cup finely chopped leeks
  • 1 1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cups Arborio rice
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup grated Cotija cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh epazote leaves
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

To Prepare

  • Set a rack in upper third part of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Place the butternut squash on baking sheet, drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle with the chipotle chile powder and 1 teaspoon of the salt and toss. Place in the oven and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, until cooked and very soft. Scrape onto a bowl and set aside.
  • Pour the chicken broth into a saucepan set over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
  • While your both comes to a simmer, combine the requeson or mascarpone cheese with the sauce from chipotles in adobo and the maple syrup in a small bowl. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
  • Before moving on, be ready with your roasted butternut squash and chicken broth that should be at a low simmer, if need be, raise heat to medium.
  • Heat ¼ cup olive oil in an extended casserole or Dutch oven set over medium heat. Once hot, add the leeks, onion and ½ teaspoon of the salt, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until softened and wilted. Pour in the water and continue to cook and stir until the water has completely evaporated, the vegetables have become even softer, and they begin to glisten with the oil.
  • Incorporate the rice and stir well to combine with the vegetables and coat in the oil. Add the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, stir, and cook 3 to 4 minutes. The rice should start to smell toasty, but it shouldn’t brown.
  • Pour in the wine, stir, and cook 2 to 3 minutes more until it completely evaporates, then immediately add a large ladleful of the simmering broth. Cook at a simmer until it is absorbed and you can see the bottom of the casserole when you stir.
  • Add the next ladle of broth, along with about a fourth of the roasted butternut squash, simmer and cook until the liquid is absorbed again. Repeat 3 more times, adding another ladle of broth and a fourth of the squash each time, until all the squash has been added.
  • Continue adding broth by the ladleful until the risotto is cooked al dente. Add a cup more broth and stir before you turn it off; it should be quite soupy, yet the broth should be thick.
  • You may have used only 6 cups of the broth or all 7 cups, depending on the heat of your stovetop and the weather where you live. What matters is the rice is still al dente and the consistency still seems a bit soupy.
  • Turn off the heat, top with the butter and the seasoned requeson or mascarpone cheese. Stir well to mix. Sprinkle on the grated cotija and the epazote and cilantro and serve.

Comments

26comments inChipotle Butternut Squash Risotto

  1. Reggie morrow #1 fan.

    Sep 17

    Cannot wait to cook this for my wife. Always looking for squash recipes! Muchas gracias pati!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 20

      Yay, hope she likes this recipe Reggie!

  2. Kathi

    Sep 16

    First time making this wonderful risotto. It is SO GOOD! The only changes I made were to cut the recipe in half but still took about 4 cups of broth. Also substituted ricotta for the mascarpone bc that’s what I had on hand. Pati this is a total homerun!!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Sep 20

      So very happy you liked it Kathi, yay!

  3. Tammy Wigle

    May 24

    Have made this recipe now 4 times..never made risotto in my life until I saw this on her program.. I do add some cajun shrimp on top when served.. have also made several other dishes from her programs.. love the home-made tastes with all the sauces from peppers..reminds of some fantastic dishes my mother in law taught me in Mexico when I visited. From scratch is the best..💕

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jun 04

      This is very kind of you Tammy, great idea to add the shrimp, yum!

  4. Anonymous

    Jan 20

    So delicious!! I love Pati!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jan 21

      Gracias 😉

  5. Rafael

    Dec 18

    Se ve que estabmuy sabroso felicidadrz amiga por tus resetas!!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Dec 21

      Muchas gracias Rafael, que bueno que te gusto esta receta!

  6. Eleanor Rule

    Dec 18

    Can’t wait to try and make this! Look and sounds delicious.

    1. Pati Jinich

      Dec 21

      Hope you like it Eleanor, have fun!

  7. Donna P.

    Apr 15

    Hi Pati!

    This recipe looks amazing and I’m excited to try it. Do you serve the risotto as a side or main dish? If as a side dish, what protein would you recommend to serving with it? (You can insert one of your other main dishes here. 🙂 )

    1. Pati Jinich

      Apr 16

      Hi Donna! The beauty of risotto is that you can serve it as a main or a side dish 😉 If using it as a side, I would recommend to pair it with some fish, here is a good recipe for you http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/banana-leaf-wrapped-whole-fish/

  8. Annette Kovar

    Feb 08

    This looks very amazing and creamy! Does the alcohol from the white wine burn off or can I substitute more chicken stock? Also, I know chipotle chili powder is pretty spicy, so would it be ok to substitute ancho chili powder? I’ve seen epazote in my Fiesta store here in Rosenberg, Texas, I’ve just never used it before. What kind of flavor does it have?Whatever you recommend, I will do. You are one fabulous chef! Your instructions in the videos are so informative and easy to follow! I cannot wait to try this yummy, creamy dish! Thank you!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Feb 08

      Hello Annette, thanks for your questions! I recommend that you still use the wine, because the alcohol actually evaporates but the flavor stays. Give a chance to chipotle chile powder, it has a bad rap as super spicy but it is really not and the flavor is very unique, just use a bit less if you are worried. I wrote a bit about epazote here http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/epazote/
      Thanks for the kind words!

  9. The Halamoto familyx

    Feb 05

    dear Pati, me and mi family all love your recipes and we love watching your show. This was the first recipe we made and it was delicious! 😍😍😍

    1. Pati Jinich

      Feb 05

      Thank you guys for tuning in! Keep watching and keep cooking 😉

  10. Ann Ludeman

    Dec 28

    I love your show! I’m looking forward to cooking the butternut squash risotto, Several comments and questions. Where can I get epazote leaves or what can I replace them with? I don’t know how to use Mexican cheeses because I don’t know their tastes or how to compare them with “good old American cheeses”‘ I do know about Cotija cheese compared to Parmesan and find it a good substitute. P.S. I love your show!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Jan 04

      Oh if you can’t find epazote leaves, you can substitute with more cilantro (this will have a different but still delicious flavor) or you can just leave it out. And here’s lots of info on different Mexican cheeses: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/category/ingredients/cheeses-and-milk-products/ Enjoy the risotto, Ann!

  11. Steven Harrison

    Nov 23

    Hi Pati!!!
    We’re going to the grocery store soon to pick up the ingredients for this dish! I can’t wait to try it!
    We saw this episode last night. It was magical! The fish you cooked in Cabo, the scenery, your charming personality. Everything jumped off the TV screen and I could smell the air, taste the food and it all warmed my heart!
    I love your recipes, your charisma on camera, your obvious enjoyment for what you do!
    Thank you for adding so much flavor and delight to the lives of your fans. You and your recipes are absolutely delicious!!!

    1. Pati Jinich

      Nov 30

      Aw thank you so so much, Steven!

  12. Rodrigo Caicedo

    Nov 22

    Excelente! Créame and delicious.
    Gracias Pati.
    Fiel seguidor de tu programa desde Dallas TX
    Rodrigo

    1. Pati Jinich

      Nov 25

      Mil gracias, Rodrigo!

  13. jenella herring

    Nov 10

    This was an absolutely fantastic dish!! Thank you for sharing!

    1. Pati

      Nov 11

      So happy to hear this, Jenella.

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