Risotto Cakes

From EatingWell: January/February 2011

Turn leftover risotto into crispy risotto cakes with this easy recipe. Serve with marinara sauce and a big salad for a fast dinner or with poached eggs on top for brunch.

Makes: 4 servings, 2 risotto cakes

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Heart healthy | Low cholesterol | Low saturated fat | High fiber |

View Our Nutrition Guidelines »

Ingredients

1 large egg
2 cups cold leftover risotto
1 cup coarse dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs (see Tip), divided
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Basic Risotto

Preparation

Beat egg in a large bowl; stir in risotto and 1/2 cup breadcrumbs. Place the remaining 1/2 cup breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Form the risotto mixture into eight 21/2-inch cakes (using about 1/4 cup for each cake) and dredge in the breadcrumbs.
Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray, add 1 teaspoon oil and heat over medium heat. Add the cakes and cook until browned on the first side, 2 to 4 minutes. Turn the cakes over, add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil to the pan and swirl the pan to coat the undersides of the cakes. Cook, reducing the heat if necessary, until browned on the second side, 2 to 4 minutes more.

Tips & Notes

Tip: To make your own breadcrumbs, trim crusts from whole-wheat bread. Tear bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F until dry, about 10 to 15 minutes. One slice of bread makes about 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs. For store-bought coarse dry breadcrumbs we like Ian’s brand, labeled “Panko breadcrumbs.” Find them at well-stocked supermarkets.

Nutrition

Per serving (with Basic Risotto): 303 calories; 9 g fat ( 3 g sat , 5 g mono ); 59 mg cholesterol; 40 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 11 g protein; 3 g fiber; 515 mg sodium; 199 mg potassium.

Carbohydrate Servings: 2 1/2

Exchanges: 2 1/2 starch, 1 fat

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