COOK: Lorna Sass, author of four pressure-cooker books, including Pressure Perfect
TOOL: Pressure Cooker
RECIPES: Risotto with Squash and Sage

“Once I discovered I could make risotto in my pressure cooker in just minutes and with no stirring, it became my fallback company dish,” recalls Lorna, known as the queen of pressure cooking. Her favorite winter risotto is made with butternut squash.

RISOTTO WITH SQUASH AND SAGE
Arborio is a plump, short-grain Italian rice that makes a creamy risotto. Look for it at grocery stores or a specialty-foods market.

Start to Finish: 40 minutes

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine or dry vermouth
3 1/2–4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut in 1-inch chunks
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. snipped fresh sage
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. In a 4- or 6-quart pressure cooker* cook onion in hot oil over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Stir in rice until coated with oil. Carefully add wine or vermouth; cook and stir until rice has absorbed the wine (about 30 seconds). Add 3 1/2 cups broth and the squash.

2. Lock lid in place. Over high heat, bring cooker to high pressure. Reduce heat just enough to maintain pressure and cook for 4 minutes. Turn off the heat. Quick-release the pressure by placing the cooker beneath cold running water. Carefully remove lid, tilting it away from you to allow steam to escape.

3. Set the cooker over medium-high heat and stir vigorously. The mixture will look fairly soupy at this point. Cook, uncovered, until the mixture thickens and the rice is tender but still chewy, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring every minute or so. If mixture becomes dry before the rice is done, stir in the remaining 1/2 cup broth. The finished risotto should be slightly runny; it will continue to thicken as it sits on the plate. Turn off heat. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan, the sage, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve at once with additional Parmesan, if desired. Makes 4 main-dish (or 8 side-dish) servings.

*NOTE: Before using your pressure cooker, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions thoroughly.