SUMMER RISOTTO WITH ROASTED TOMATOES, CORN AND FIGS

Preheat the oven to 150c. Like a baking sheet with foil. Add the tomatoes and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme. Roast for 45 to 60 minutes, until the tomatoes are deep in colour and caramely and crumpled. Remove from the oven once finished.

While the tomatoes are roasting, heat a large pot or saucepan over medium heat and add the remaining olive oil with the butter. Add the rice and stirring often, toast the rice until it’s somewhat translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the white wine, constantly stirring or at least stirring every minute or so, until the rice absorbs the wine. Once the wine is absorbed, add in 1 1/2 cups of the stock, stirring until the rice absorbs the liquid like it did with the wine. Repeat this 2 to 3 more times, until all stock has been added and the rice is al dente. You want it to appear “hydrated” – and want there to be some liquid left when serving. This process should take about 15 to 20 minutes.

Just before the risotto is almost finished, stir in the parmesan cheese. Stir in the tomatoes, fresh corn and figs. Stir in most of the chives and basil. Taste and if desired, add a bit of salt and pepper (this will depend on the saltiness of your cheese and the taste of your tomatoes). Serve immediately with the remaining chives and basil. Top with freshly grated parmesan.