Sean Thackrey Lyra

Grower: Sean Thackrey
Grape Variety: Viognier
Style: Aromatic and Tropical
Country: USA
Appellation: Knights Valley
Vintage: 2013/14
Closure: CORK
Alcohol: 14.6% ABV
Bottle Size: 75cl

Crayfish Risotto with Crayfish Bisque

Cooking Time: 01 hrs 10 mins (approx.)
Number of Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

For the bisque //

1 tbsp olive oil
50g/2oz butter
2 shallots, peeled and chopped
1 fennel bulb, finely chopped
1 tbsp plain flour
1 tbsp tomato purée
500g/1lb 2oz cooked crayfish shells
2 tbsp brandy
1 litre/1¾ pints fish stock
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs fresh flatleaf parsley
salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the risotto //

1 litre/1¾ pints fish stock
25g/1oz butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
150g/5oz leeks, cut into thick slices
250g/9oz arborio risotto rice
75ml/3fl oz dry white wine
250g/9oz cooked crayfish tails
50g/2oz mascarpone
50g/2oz parmesan, grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. For the bisque, heat the oil and butter in a wide frying pan and sauté the shallots and fennel for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the flour and tomato purée and cook, stirring, for a further minute.
3. Add the crayfish shells and brandy and cook for another minute.
4. Add the fish stock, bay leaves and parsley and bring to a simmer. 5. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the liquid has reduced by a third. 6. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
7. Pour the mixture into a food processor and blend to a fine purée.
8. Pass the purée through a sieve into a clean saucepan and season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
9. For the risotto, place the fish stock into a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer.
10. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a saucepan, add the onion and leeks and cook gently for a few minutes, until softened but not coloured.
11. Add the rice and cook for a minute, stirring to coat the rice in the butter.
12. Add the wine and simmer until reduced by half.
13. Add the warm stock a ladleful at a time, stirring well between each addition until nearly all the stock is absorbed and the rice is just tender.
14. Add two thirds of the crayfish tails and 200ml/7fl oz of the bisque and stir to combine. Stir in the mascarpone, parmesan and salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
15. To serve, spoon the risotto into the centre of a large soup plate. 16. Place the remaining crayfish tails around the edge of the risotto.
Using a hand blender, blend the remaining bisque until frothy.
17. Spoon the foam over the crayfish tails.