Risotto with Corn, Spicy Sausage, and Wilted Arugula

Sue Byrom

ingredients

6 cups lower-salt chicken broth; more as needed
3 medium ears fresh corn, cut in half
2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium cloves garlic, minced
3 packed cups trimmed arugula
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 T. unsalted butter
1 medium leek (white and light-green parts only), finely diced (about 3/4 cup)
1/4 lb. hot Italian pork sausage, casings removed and broken into chunks
2 cups arborio or carnaroli rice
1/2 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano; more for serving
2 T. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional)

directions

1
Heat the chicken broth in a medium saucepan over until hot but not simmering.
2
Slice corn kernels off four of the pieces. Grate the kernels from the remaining two pieces using the large holes of a box grater. Discard the cobs.
3
Heat the olive oil and garlic in a large, heavy saucepan or medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Wipe the pan clean. Coarsely chop arugula.
4
Melt the butter in the cleaned pan over medium heat. Add the leek and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the sausage, breaking it apart with a fork or spoon into crumbles, and cook until no longer pink, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir until the grains are well coated with fat and the edges become translucent, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour in the wine and stir until it’s absorbed, about 30 seconds. Stir in the grated corn.
5
Ladle enough of the hot broth into the pan to barely cover the rice, about 1-1/2 cups. Bring to a boil and then adjust the heat to maintain a lively simmer. Cook, stirring frequently, until the broth is mostly absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue adding broth in 1/2-cup increments, stirring occasionally and letting each addition be absorbed before adding the next.
6
After about 20 minutes, the rice should be just cooked but still fairly firm. At this point, add the whole corn kernels, chopped arugula, and another 1/2 cup broth. Continue to simmer and stir until the corn is warmed through and the rice is just tender to the tooth, an additional 1 to 3 minutes. Stir in another splash of broth if the risotto seems too thick. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the risotto immediately with a sprinkling of cheese and parsley, if using.