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Rice and Grains

Licorice and Shrimp Risotto

Licorice and shrimp risotto is an elegant first course with an unusual flavor, perfect for a special occasion. Make it today with us.
Recipe Licorice and Shrimp Risotto
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Preparation 15 minutes
  • Cooking 20 minutes
  • Servings for 4 people

Licorice and Shrimp Risotto is a first course that is easy and quick to make. Perfect for a special occasion such as a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner or the holidays, this dish, truly elegant yet with a flavor that is delicate and sweet, will leave everyone who tastes it speechless and is sure to be a big hit at the table.

An unusual pairing that combines licorice powder with shrimp: this risotto, cooked in a shrimp broth, is a common dish in the finest restaurants of Calabria and has since spread all over Italy. Licorice is not just for making Licorice Liqueur or a Licorice Black Mojito: use this ingredient to make an aphrodisiac risotto.

Champagne Risotto and Strawberry Risotto are other dishes we really encourage you to try and serve for an important occasion. But now, follow the recipe below and cook along with us: here is our Licorice and Shrimp Risotto.

Ingredients for 4 people

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Method

  1. To make the Licorice and Shrimp Risotto, start by cleaning the shrimp: remove the heads, legs and shells, setting them all aside. Then cut along the back of each shrimp and pull out the black vein. Pour the water into a high-sided pan, add the heads and shells, season with salt, bring to a boil and wait five minutes.
    Licorice and Shrimp Risotto, step 1: shrimp heads and shells in a pan of water for the broth
  2. Meanwhile, finely chop the shallot and cut the shrimp into small pieces. Strain the broth, then sauté the shallot in a drizzle of oil in a high-sided saucepan, add the rice, toast it over high heat for a couple of minutes and deglaze with the white wine, letting it evaporate completely.
  3. Continue cooking the risotto, adding a couple of ladlefuls of shrimp broth at a time and stirring the rice as little as possible: once it is al dente, which will take about thirteen minutes, add the licorice powder and stir well. Add the shrimp and stir again gently.
    Licorice and Shrimp Risotto, step 3: licorice powder and shrimp stirred into the risotto
  4. Wait a couple of minutes, take the pan off the heat and add the butter and pecorino to make the risotto creamy: stir everything together and cover with a lid for a few more minutes. Sprinkle with oregano, plate the rice, grind some black pepper over each plate and serve your Licorice and Shrimp Risotto while still hot. Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!

Variations and Alternatives

If you don’t have licorice powder, you can use pure licorice pellets: chop them and use them as the recipe says, or melt them in the fish broth.

Storage

We recommend eating the Licorice and Shrimp Risotto right away to fully enjoy its flavors. We advise against storing it in any way.

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