Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Sweating patience

It is an understatement to say that patience is not my strong point. But with M not home until 9pm tonight, I thought I would test my patience by attempting a borlotti bean and pancetta risotto. I've never cooked a risotto before.

At work today, in between a conference in the morning and back-to-back meetings in the afternoon, I dreamed of serenely chopping onions, celery and garlic, and sweating them on a gentle heat until they softened almost into a mush. I imagined myself flicking through the weekend papers in between stirs. I actually thought the activity of making risotto would be a calm, even meditative affair.

The reality isn't too far off. I've been reading the newspapers in between stirs. But, but, but I am anxious all the time, repeatedly returning to the stove to check nothing is browning too much or too fast. And I still haven't got round to the "slowly adding chicken stock" bit, which will, no doubt, test my patience further.

In short, I am already bored and wish I had decided on a stir fry instead.

3 comments:

Rhea said...

Curious: How'd it turn out?

Planethalder said...

Totally worth it. It had onions, celery, borlotti beans, pancetta, homemade chicken stock from the weekend, and loads of parmesan. It was so delicious and comforting. I may even make a leek and parmesan risotto next week!

Rhea said...

Awesome!! Btw, your posts on food and stuff makes me drool and hungry at odd hours of the day. Not good! :)