annnnnnnnd i'm drunk.

in the same way that the calories don't count if your boyfriend orders the fries and you steal them off of his plate, the drunkenness doesn't count if you're cooking with wine and just accidentally pour a bit too much.

that is where i found myself at 11 in the morning: at the stove, standing over a pan of risotto, listening to israeli pop music, with a glass of pinot in one hand, and my book in the other. is this what my life has come to? thought my tipsy self as i poured the fourth cup of chicken broth into the rice. well, helll yeah! just add a chicken coop and i'm never leaving this place! responded my other self to myself. (in my defense, i've been up since 1 am working at the bakery?)

i should really shut up now.

the bottom line is: risotto season is here. it is cold, it is rainy, and there is snow in my state. i really hope it makes its way over to my town.

i've been on the hunt for a way to make risotto extra creamy without the cheese, so that eggboy can eat it, and it turns out that pumpkin does just the trick! i am shoveling this stuff into my mouth right now, it is so good. it is also quite easy. at least easy enough for a drunk girl to make.

so put on your sweater, designate a driver, and get cooking.

creamy pumpkin risotto with bacon and leeks

makes 2-4 servings

ingredients

1/4 c olive oil

1 leek, finely chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced

4 slices of bacon, chopped to 1/2-inch pieces

1 c arborio rice

4 c hot chicken broth

1 c white wine, plus more for sipping while you stir

1 c pumpkin puree

black pepper and chili pepper, to taste

clues

in a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. add leeks and cook until soft, about five minutes. add garlic and cook for two more minutes. add bacon and cook until it starts to get crispy.

add rice and cook, stirring, for a few minutes until it is slightly toasted. add one cup of broth and cook, stirring, until it is absorbed into the rice. repeat this process with the remaining three cups of broth and the one cup of wine.

stir in pumpkin, black pepper, and chili pepper, and cook for a few more minutes.

serve it with a really big smile or eat it all by yourself in bed with netflix.

-YEH!