If you are like me, you are always looking for ways to feed your family well, and for ways to make that easier to do. Today I’m going to share how the Simply Balanced line at Target can help you do both, as well as a delicious and incredibly easy recipe for Slow Cooker Cheese Risotto made using Simply Balanced Arborio Rice. Yes, risotto in a slow cooker. Without all that stirring. And it is delicious.
With my nearest Target only about a mile away, I do a lot of my shopping there. I love that I can run and knock out a very diverse shopping list, picking up everything from socks, Crayons, printer paper, shampoo, birthday gifts, crazy cute kids clothes (seriously hard to resist!), items for the yard and groceries. One stop shopping for sure!
The only challenge with one stop shopping is that doing it with a three year old in the cart can make it a bit like racing the clock, which is one reason I really love the Simply Balanced line. Simply Balanced takes the guesswork out of eating well, by requiring that all Simply Balanced food meets nutritional requirements that include: low sodium and fat, zero Trans Fat, no Hydrogenated Oils or high fructose corn syrup, and no synthetic colors, artificial preservatives, flavors or sweeteners. There are so many products on store shelves today that it can take some serious time to really explore everything. If I’m in a hurry, I know I can look for the Simply Balanced packaging and that it’s usually going to fit the bill as to what I’m looking for.
While not moving to a completely gluten free diet, we’ve recently been looking to reduce the amount of gluten in our diets a bit, as well as have gluten free options for our friends and family who eat gluten free, and Simply Balanced has been a great, and very convenient, help with this. I’m also trying to go with organic products when I can, especially with fruits, veggies and dairy. My daughter is quite the fan of white grape juice, and I was thrilled to see that Simply Balanced makes an Organic White Grape Juice, a product that isn’t always easy to find.
One of my favorite, delicious comfort foods to eat is risotto. Creamy wonderful risotto. When I saw that Simply Balanced made arborio rice (in addition to many others) I snatched it right up.
Risotto is known for taking a lot of time and attention to make. Both things that I’m a little short on. Guess what, you can totally make risotto in your slow cooker. I’m all for anything that I can make in my slow cooker! This is a great side to combine with some green veggies and chicken or beef for a delicious meal that can come together easily at dinner time.
You start with your arborio rice and some olive oil in your slow cooker, and then add some chicken broth, water, white wine (or more water) and some garlic, then it’s time to close and cook. No standing and stirring. Yeah!
Once the risotto is ready, you add in your favorite cheese. I like a combo of white cheddar and colby jack.
One of the great things about risotto is that it’s so easy to add other foods to. Risotto is perfect for combining with veggies. While most people like the broccoli and cheese combo, I’ve always been a green peas and cheese fan (is that strange?). Either way, you can easily cook up a bag of Simply Balanced veggies and stir them into your risotto when you are ready to serve.
Such a warm, delicious and comforting dish. Perfect for a chilly winter night. And I seriously still get a kick out of making risotto in the slow cooker. I can’t believe how easy it is.
Slow Cooker Risotto Recipe
Cheesy Slow Cooker Risotto And Simply Balanced
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 Cups Simply Balanced Arborio Rice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white whine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded/grated cheese of your choice I used 1 cup white cheddar and 1/2 colby jack
Instructions
- Pour olive oil into your slow cooker and turn it on high. Pour Simply Balanced Arborio Rice into slow cooker, and stir well to coat in olive oil. Allow to start cooking for a a few minutes while you gather up the remaining ingredients.
- Pour white wine, chicken broth and water into slow cooker. Add in minced garlic and stir well. Let cook for 90 minutes.
- At the 90 minute mark, open slow cooker, stir and see if any additional liquid is needed. If so, add a small amount of water (about 1/4 cup).
- From this point forward, watch risotto closely, checking every ten minutes or so to see if it's done. As soon as it is tender and soaked up most of the liquid, it is ready. Add cheese to slow cooker and stir gently to combine (putting the lid back on the slow cooker for a minute or two will help it melt if needed). Serve immediately.
Notes
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
I love how this tastes and I love how easy it comes together, completely from scratch. Life is so busy, and as a mom some days it feels like a major success to get the groceries I need and get a wholesome dinner on the table. I love that Simply Balanced helps make my shopping easier and helps take the guesswork out of eating well. Check out the Target website for recipes using the Simply Balanced line,Ā and look for it the next time you are at Target! With over 200 products in the line, including items like Organic Blue Corn Flax Tortilla Chips, Gluten Free Pasta, Organic Cage-Free Eggs, Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon, Organic Apple Juice and Blueberry Flax Granola, there is a little something for everyone.
Take the guesswork out of eating well.
Introducing Simply Balanced, a new brand from Target
that’s thoughtfully crafted for taste and goodness.
www.target.com/simplybalanced
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.
Frances says
Can you double this recipe?
Christi Johnstone says
I haven’t, but I’m guessing it would be fine.
Phyllis Sage says
Made this and love it. I added pesto & rosemary because any rice is bland. It cooked faster than I thought it would. Didn’t add the cheese till I served it. It was so easy.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
Not even kidding I want this right now. I just want to gobble this up- comfort food at it’s best!
Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen says
I love shopping at Target! But somehow I always end up buying WAY more than I went in for! I’m loving this slow cooker risottoā¦I’ll have to add the rice to my list next time I go to Target! š
Lisa says
I can’t wait to make this!! I love risotto more than any other dinner dish, and the fact that you can do it in the slow cooker kind of blows my mind. Pinning!
Trish says
Yum! I’m such a slow cooker fanatic. I’m definitely trying this.
merle says
what temp are you cooking the risotto at? wouldn’t high burn it over 90 mins?? have you tried adding in veggies at the beginning, such as mushrooms? Thanks,
Christi says
Merle, my slow cooker has four settings, high, low, warm, off, so I don’t have an exact temp. High has always worked fine for me, it’s a lot of liquid to rice. That said, I’ve found slow cookers can have a lot of variety (I had one once that was crazy hot) so you can always start checking earlier if you are concerned. I haven’t tried adding my veggies in earlier, I’m a big fan of my veggies being a bit on the undercooked side, so aside from potatoes, I’ve never been a big fan of veggies in the slow cooker.
Katy says
This recipe looks very good and easy! Anything that cooks in the crockpot I’m all for. š Makes life so much easier when you can just let it sit and cook all day long. Thanks for the post!