Rice deserves respect... main dish respect. Create an unforgettable meal with this Gluten-Free Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Corn Risotto!
People. I'm guilty. Like
Oh wait. I was a short fat kid that couldn't run or jump. Makes sense actually.
But rice. It's got everything going for it. Super versatile. Liked by virtually every cuisine on the planet. And yet there it is, in my pantry, not getting any love. And when it does, it's an after-thought. A silly little side dish or just a filler I use to pile the main attraction on top of.
It's time to Rethink Rice. And that time is now. Who's with me? (this is the point when you all let out a collective "ooh-rah," which signals me that you are indeed with me and on my side).
Thank you.
I don't know why it's taken me so long to finally try making risotto. I love risotto in restaurants. It transforms rice into this creamy, luscious superstar of a meal... and guess what? It's really not as hard as someone along the line may have scared you into thinking.
The key is have your ingredients prepped and ready to go. You can do this. I believe in you 😉
And let's talk about ingredients. This isn't some ordinary boring risotto. Put on your big boy pants, because I'm bringing some serious flavor to this party. I'm talking about corn. Bacon. Cheese. And... are you ready? A perfectly poached egg with that glorious runny yolk. It adds an extra layer of creamy luxury to the risotto.
Everyone always boasts that bacon makes everything better (it does). But so does a runny yolk. It's true. Google it (don't).
Little secret? I actually didn't poach my egg. I used my new sous vide kitchen toy. It's so much fun, and gives you super precise eggs every time (I do mine for 13 minutes at 75C) . But don't fret about that... just go with a regular poached or even sunny-side egg. The key is a runny yolk.
You need that runny yolk.
Oh, and did I mention jalapeno?
Yup, that's right. This risotto was totally done up right with the RiceSelect Arborio Blend™ with Jalapeno. It gives the risotto that signature creamy texture plus a little kick I crave. Of course you can use their regular Arborio rice as well, but I personally love a bit of heat. That's just how I roll.
RiceSelect produces a great line-up of rice... Arborio, Arborio Blend™ with Jalapeno, Arborio Blend™ with Mushrooms, and their signature Texmati® White Rice. I'm thinking you can make some crazy savory risottos with that mushroom one... it's next on my list.
Something I really, really dig about RiceSelect? It's grown, milled, and packaged right here in the USA and have no GMO's. I'll repeat. No GMOs!
You can grab RiceSelect at select grocery stores and if you are one of those online shoppers (I totally am, as my bank statement surely tells me every month), right here.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Corn Risotto
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 8-10 strips bacon
- 5 cups corn stock* (recipe beow)
- 2 large shallots, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups RiceSelect Arborio Blend™ with Jalapeno**
- ¾ cup dry white wine
- 2 ears fresh corn kernels (or 1 cup frozen corn)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup freshly grated good-quality parmesan cheese***
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 4 poached eggs****
for the Corn Stock
- 6 to 8 corn cobs (kernels removed and reserved for another use)
- ½ yellow onion, roughly chopped
- Few spings parsley
- Few sprigs thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 peppercorns
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a medium pan until golden brown and crispy. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Once cool, crumble bacon into bite-sized pieces. Reserve 3 tablespoon of the bacon grease in pan.
- Heat corn stock (or chicken/vegetable stock if using) in a small pot over medium heat until it reaches a low simmer. Lower heat a bit to maintain a very low simmer.
- In a larget skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the bacon grease over medium heat. Add shallots, season with Kosher salt, and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened and translucent. Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until coated in the bacon grease and a bit opaque, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in wine, season with Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook until wine is fully absorbed by rice.
- Reduce heat to medium low. Add stock ½ cup at a time, stirring frequently, adding more stock as rice absorbs the liquid. After about 8 to 10 minutes, add corn and stir. Keep adding stock, stirring and cooking, until rice is cooked to al dente (a bit firm to the bite), about 20 minutes. Your risotto should be creamy, not soupy or stiff. You may not use all of your stock.
- Remove risotto from heat, stir in butter, parmesan cheese, and crumbled bacon. Divide among 4 plates and top with chives and a poached egg. Serve immediately.
for the Corn Stock
- Place cobs (cut or snap in half if too big for your pot), onion, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns in a large stockpot. Add enough water to cover ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and maintain a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 hours, until your stock has a strong corn flavor. Strain mixture and allow to cool completely. Can be refrigerated for 5 to 7 days, or what I like to do is freeze in 4-6 cup portions for risotto, soups, etc.
Notes
*Substitute good-quality chicken or vegetable stock if needed.
**Substitute RiceSelect Arborio rice if desired.
***I use parmigiano reggiano.
****If you have a sous vide machine, I do my eggs at 75°C for 13 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
You can head over to RiceSelect Rethink Rice to sign up for monthly newsletters where you will receive exclusive access to fresh new recipes and a $2-off coupon just for signing up... AND for a chance to win a free Aroma 6-cup rice cooker. Use #RethinkRice #sweeps to show your recipe creation for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
The RiceSelect Hosted Sweepstakes ends/ended at midnight on December 18th.
But wait, that's not all!
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 10/6/14 – 11/3/14.
Be sure to visit the RiceSelect brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Lisa Brown
I would rethink rice and add more to soups or use it in stuffed mushroom recipes
Lisa Brown
tweet https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/519152424083132416
Elena
I would make mushroom risotto
Elena
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/519154463454822400
Mami2jcn
That runny yolk looks incredible! I'm starving!
I would rethink rice with arroz con pollo I've modified from my mother's recipe.
Mami2jcn
tweet--https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/519178342378274817
Dannii
A runny egg on almost anything is amazing!
Chris
Agreed!
Mira
Honestly I've never made risotto at home, but this brand is something I would like to try! Looks beautiful and delicious! That kitchen toy sounds interesting, since poaching an egg can be difficult !
★★★★★
Chris
Yes, totally get a sous vide machine! It's SO worth it!
Rachel
Risotto is one of my favorite things EVER, and I love all the bacon cheesy goodness in here. I don't like eggs (the horror, I know!), but even without it, I still totally want to devour this dish. Pinned!
And if I were to make rice into a main dish, risotto would definitely be the way I would go. It's too good!
Chris
No eggs?! The horror indeed! It's okay Rachel... I think I can get past this. I think. I'll try. Especially because I'm still drooling over your apple cider caramels!
Kelly D
I will rethink rice by creating a vegetarian chili that includes rice.
Kelly D
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/519198081427193857
Alice
Chris, dude this risotto looks soooooo good!!! How I would re-think rice? maybe with Asian inspired ingredients or serving it in unexpected ways, like with fresh greens? I love that Rice Selects some with different blends! fabulous!
Chris
Thanks Alice! I'd love to see you do an Asian-twist!
holly ; the hobbit kitchen
risotto is hands down my all time favourite comfort food - whenever i'm having a bad day there's nothing that i want to do more than stand at a stove and stir! these ingredients look like a delicious twist 🙂
Chris
You're just like my wife... she loves stirring!
Sarah
Ooh-rah! I'm with you 100%. This sounds so delicious - and I'm super jealous of your sous vide. I'm totally terrified on risotto after watching chef after chef get dinged for risotto on Top Chef - every time someone starts making risotto, Lucas and I scream "STOP! DON'T DO IT!" I think this one would be the exception - you should go on Top Chef and blow them out of the water.
Chris
You totally need to get a sous vide Sarah! You can make sous vide... uhm, meyer lemons. Or whatever you cool people in CA do.
Natalie
I would love to add rice to scrambled eggs and various veggies to make a yummy meal! I love risotto but do not cook it often.
Natalie
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/519241155494817794
Nicole
I am going to rethink rice by making it with snow peas, chopped carrots, garlic, chicken, and a light sauce.
★★★★★
Nicole
My tweet is here: https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/519250730419363840
★★★★★
marcie
This risotto looked amazing already, then you had to crack an egg over the top. Oh, that egg! This dish looks incredible! Pinning. 🙂
Chris
Hahaha that egg is pretty legit 😉
Laura
Homemade risotto has been on my cooking to-do list for far too long - this looks great! Must try 🙂
Chris
Glad to know I'm not the only one with a crazy long cooking to-do list!
Kathy
I am yet to make risotto at home but this seriously makes me want to make it. I think I'll retying tomorrow's dinner and make this instead.
★★★★★
Chris
Go for it Kathy! It's super easy and makes for one kick-butt meal!
cori
sweet risotto, cool it down and then pan fry it like french toast!
Chris
What a great idea!
heather
I rethink rice by adding chicken and veggies and a cream sauce as a main dish for my family.
★★★★★
Kimmy Ripley
I would use rice as a main ingredient and make a rice pudding. I love rice pudding with a little bit of flavored cream added to it and some whipped cream and cinnamon on top!
Chris
Mmmmm rice pudding...
Medha
Risotto is my ULTIMATE comfort food. I love this breakfast-y twist! Yum 🙂
Chris
It's super comforting... especially when eating on the couch in your pajamas 🙂
Tash
That's a good point Chris - rice can so easily go neglected! It's a classic food that has nourished civilizations for millennia! It is the definition of SOUL food! It's hard to *remember* to use rice when there are so many healthy world alternatives around, E.G. quinoa. Delicious yes, but - is it rice? Not quite! (And indeed, runny yolks + bacon make everything better).
Love this!
★★★★★
Chris
Runny yolks + bacon #forthewin!
Stardancer
I am actually going to Rethink Rice by making a mushroom-butter risotto tonight! Also, I love to Rethink Rice by making fried rice: bits of pork or chicken and a couple of veggies with a scrambled egg and lots and lots of soy sauce.
Chris
Mmmm sounds great!
David
What a fun and delicious breakfast recipe...I'm pretty much a sucker for anything with jalapeno, so I definitely need to give this a shot. That's how the Wolfpack rolls, my friend! #WolfpackEats
Chris
Exactly David... exactly. Jalapeno is the bomb.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)
I think this risotto might seriously be magical! Yep I'm betting it is.
Chris
That egg is pretty magical 😉
Beth
Well this looks fantastic! I love rice, but I've never made risotto. I love all the tasty things you've added to this! Especially that egg. And bacon. Fun giveaway too! 🙂
Chris
Thanks Beth! I'm a firm believer that all things taste better with a runny egg and bacon 🙂
Mike
I don't care about the risotto, I just wanna win 100 bucks!
Kidding...that risotto looks really fantastic and you know what? I'm gonna make some tonight for dinner with a fried egg on top, just like you did.
#WolfpackEats
Chris
I knew it... you're all about the money! Hahahaha
Shibi
Rice is an integral part of eastern diet I believe. We use rice a lot, that being said, I love to experiment with all kinds of grains. As you said, they are versatile and we even use them in rice pudding as a dessert flavored with Cardamom. The risotto looks appealing.
Chris
Mmmmm rice pudding!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen
I can just imagine the flavorful goodness of this risotto. Gotta try them soon!
Chris
Def Olivia! This is my wife's new fave dish!
Elle
I would re-think rice by making nice, comforting, delicious rice pudding!
Elle
Tweet - https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/519563598700371968
Renee | Two in the Kitchen
Your posts seriously make me lol!! Your funny intro has me gaming all over the rice! "ooo-rah" How's that!! I'll take this rice dish for dinner any day of the week!! 🙂
Chris
Hahaha yes!
Melanie
Wow. I never knew there was rice with jalapeno. My boys will love this! Definitely need to look for it next time I'm out and cook ém up something good!
Looks fabulous!
Chris
I know... me either!!! It definitely has a strong kick to it as well... they really give you a nice jalapeno punch!
Becca from It's Yummi!
I will DEFINITELY give your risotto some R-E-S-P-E-C-T, in true Aretha Franklin style... with song and dance! I love this brand of rice, too. Ohmigerd... I'm just SO hungry now. This dish has everything that I love in it, Chris!
Chris
Hahaha I want to see you doing RESPECT... post a youtube video!
Becca from It's Yummi!
I Tweeted about your crazy awesome risotto here >> https://twitter.com/ItsYummi/status/519854690150789121
Chris
🙂
Shashi
All this bacon talk...and shallots fried in bacon grease...jalapeno arboria rice (who knew???)...and yolk porn...sure does get drive the salivary glands into over working! Woo! This is insanely mouthwatering!!
Here's my tweet - https://twitter.com/RunninSriLankan/status/519877810215976960
Chris
Hahahahaha yolk porn. Now that's a new hashtag!
Jess
This looks delicious, Chris! Brilliant modern twist on a classic risotto!
Chris
Thanks so much Jess!
Robin
Ok. I normally just eat plain white rice but this makes me want to re-think rice!
Ashley
Why have I never made corn stock before??? And this dish ... sounds sooo good. That runny yolk ... gets me every single time!
Chris
Corn stock is so simple to make and all you need is your scraps! I always just make a huge batch and freeze it 🙂
Ashley H
I would use it in more casseroles.
Cindy
Chris, you are too funny! Love this recipe and making rice the center of the meal is awesome. I'll have to look for that rice. Sounds very tasty!
Chris
Can you tell my wife that I'm funny? She seems to disagree sometimes hahaha
anna pry
i need to rethink rice because right now i only really use it as a plain side dish! pryfamily5@gmail.com
Erika
Yum! I make a bacon/chicken/broccoli/rice casserole that my family loves.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Lisa
Do you have a PhD in Food Porn? Love this!!!!
Chris
Just a masters... I'm working on the PhD 😉
Aurelie Red
To do a winning dish, I think I would do a risotto too, with some fried broccolis and carrots, and sesame on the top !
Aurelie Red
My tweet
https://twitter.com/AurelieRed/status/520990602708910080
Rebecca
I like chicken and cheesy rice casserole.
Dee
I'm going to use it in a risotto dish and add in chicken and mushrooms! 🙂
Dee
tweeted https://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/521162082663038976
Helen
Hmmm ... I think I very rudely under-use rice, too. It doesn't help that hubby says he doesn't like risotto that much, but I suspect it's because he hasn't had many good ones.
I on the other hand love risotto, but I've never had a 'breakfast risotto' before like this one. Love the idea though, so pinning!
Chris
He doesn't like risotto?! You need to change his mind Helen!
lisa g
Ive never had rissoto before. It sounds delish. I wanna try it with fajita and mushrooms.
lisa g
https://mobile.twitter.com/MamaJamaDodie/status/521314812929015810
Morgan
GET IN MY BELLY! How am I going to rethink rice? Well, first, by making this 🙂
I've allowed rice to have a supporting role {like here: http://www.raisinandfig.com/chicken-wild-rice-burrito-with-mango-habanero-sauce/} but it's time to up my game.
★★★★★
Chris
Hahahaha I say get in my belly all the time! That's probably why my belly is so big...
Janice Cooper
I would rethink it by adding chicken, egg and broccoli to my rice
Janice Cooper
https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/521412148434841600
Cheryl W
I would rethink it by thinking outside the rice for dinner box. I would do rice for breakfast with adding maple brown sugar, fresh diced apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, chopped walnuts and a splash of heavy whipping cream. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter.
★★★★★
Cheryl W
Tweet: https://twitter.com/HeartnSoulmom/status/521426076917325824
★★★★★
Susan Smith
I would re-think rice by making delicious rice pudding with cinnamon.
Susan Smith
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/521476672890372096
Jessie C.
I am going to Rethink Rice and make it into desserts, such as rice pudding and macaron.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C.
-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/521492077021265920
Nicole
Wow! This looks amazing, Chris! I love the runny egg on top!
Chris
A runny egg gets me every time 🙂
Tina M
I'd make Chicken Soup with Rice
Tina M
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/522191381679206400
Danae
Rice totally gets the cold shoulder. I'm guilty of it too, until recently when I discovered how much my husband loves risotto! Can't wait to try your version!
Chris
Risotto is pretty darn awesome!
Vincent
We love rice with marinated chicken and veggies done on the grill.
Vincent
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/522627917075857409
Gina M
I love making homemade pork fried rice, just like my favorite Chinese place!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Gina M
tweet--https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/523572982128852992
D Schmidt
I would rethink rice by using it in recipes instead of potatoes, for example I would use it as a side with a pot roast.
★★★★★
D Schmidt
tweeted
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/523604660154687488
★★★★★
ANGEL JACKLYN
I'M GOING TO ADD IT TO MY CHICKEN STIR FRY RECIPE!
ANGEL JACKLYN
https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/523618096985411585
shelly peterson
I would try and make a rice dish using some cheddar cheese soup, bacon and green onion.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
shelly peterson
tweeted
https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/524135433094324224
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Christine
I think my heart just stopped because this is INCREDIBLE! obsessed with the flavors and how you managed to make this gluten free, so pinning!
Chris
Thanks Christine! I'm kinda obsessed with this too... bacon, corn... hello!
maureen
I love to use left over rice and put some cheese over it with some ground beef and put in microwave for a few minutes and it makes a wonderful lunch or dinner.
cyndi solis
This article and pictures got me thinking...I have always thought the idea of rice balls is intriguing. I have seen them in an italian meal setting with the red sauce but how about included in a lovely salad or a pita, similar to what a falafal would fill. Or possibly with a bowl of silky butternut squash soup. My imagination is going wild 🙂
ELIZABETH P
I would rethink rice by stuffing more things like peppers and meat with them
ELIZABETH P
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/526132494689894400
Madeline
I'd rethink rice with a baked risotto dish!
Madeline
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/526166253640384512
Katie Heath
I would make a chicken bake with it!
kjasus
i would make rice balls, swimming in marinara
kjasus
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/526350424182640643
Anne
Most often when I use rice, I serve it as a side dish, so I think it may be time to jump on the bandwagon, rethink rice, and incorporate it into the main dish. I imagine the RiceSelect Texmati Brown Rice would hold up nicely in a casserole, and I'm thinking it would be great with chicken, mushrooms, and broccoli, bound together in a cheesy white sauce.
Anne
I shared your luscious risotto recipe and the RiceSelect promotion on Twitter. Here's the link:
https://twitter.com/NotherAnneOther/status/526706194623508481
Thanks!
Cynthia C
I'm going to switch out rice for noodles in my tuna casserole.
Cynthia C
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/527798057031966721
Laura J
OH that recipes looks so good, having to eat gluten free myself. I cannot wait to try that! I would make a Spaghetti Rice Stuffed Green Peppers!!!
Laura J
I shared on twitter
https://twitter.com/ilovemybeagle22/status/527849035059986432
Denise L
I'm going to serve Lobster Risotto as a main dish!
Denise L
tweeted - https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/528198434646290433
Kerry
Hmmm.....maybe a dessert with rice will be me rethinking rice. I've never made one, but i know there are some good recipes out there!
Kerry
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/528278992004993025
Victoria R.
I'm going to rethink rice and use more vegetables in my usual fried rice recipe to make it a main course!
Victoria R.
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/gildedaged/status/528347210367647744
Rebecca Graham
I would rethink rice by putting it into a big pot of chili.
maria cantu
I like to make rice with chicken.
Debbie B
my husband is so darn picky but i i actually think my he would like this risotto dish
Debbie B
posted a tweet:
https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/528752297074257921
erica best
i will make a rice with coconut milk and add it beans for a meal
erica best
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/528763021615972352
Betty C
To rethink rice I really need to make risotto. I've never tried making it and I think I'm missing out on a good thing.
Betty C
Tweet - https://twitter.com/willitara/status/529252976435953664
Katherine
I am adding it more and more to my homemade soups
Katherine
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/529297880239321088
Thomas Murphy
I would add different spices
Thomas Murphy
tweet
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/529312789152952320
Neiddy
I love desserts so I would make a White Chocolate-Cherry Rice Pudding
Neiddy
tweeted https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/529354885381509121
Annette
I'm going to Rethink Rice and make it into a winning main dish by using it to make jambalaya.
Annette
https://twitter.com/ThatTuxedoCat/status/529430301324214272
Tabathia B
By adding some smoked sausage and quinoa
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Tabathia B
https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/529432965474811904
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
Melissa M
I like to cook rice in water with beef bouillon cubes. Then I add cooked hamburger, corn and green beans to it. My kids LOVE it!
Melissa M
https://twitter.com/618mom23boys/status/532023351792140288