HAM AND APPLE RISOTTO

Ingredients

• ​1/4 cup salted butter, divided
• 1 cup diced Golden Delicious apple
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 1 cup diced cooked ham
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 cup apple juice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add apple and sauté until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer apple to a bowl; set aside.
2. Melt remaining 2 tbsp butter in same saucepan. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in rice, ham and pepper; sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in apple juice and cook, stirring, until apple juice is almost absorbed. Meanwhile, heat broth to simmering.
3. Add 1 cup hot broth to rice mixture; cook, stirring frequently, until almost all of liquid is absorbed. Add remaining 3 cups hot broth, 1 cup at a time, cooking and stirring constantly until mixture is creamy, rice is tender and most of liquid is absorbed, about 20 – 25 minutes. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in apple and Parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately.