Chocolate Risotto with Fried Pears

When I was in secondary school, one of popular polish singers wrote a song, which said, that “when children are not at home for a longer period of time, parents get wild”. At the time I didn’t get it, I felt that I was already an adult, but frankly I was a young kid. And now… I so get it! My little girl is awesome and hanging out with her is obviously the best idea for a day. But one Friday I told Tomasz that he should visit his family with Mia and, well… without me. He left Friday evening and guys, I can’t describe what was happening. I was celebrating each moment of silence, that’s for sure. I did have one glass of wine too much and I did sleep till after midday. I did many more things, everything except for work. It was me – Marta again, not Marta the mother. The weekend has passed, Tomasz and Mia came back home and I was hugging and kissing her like crazy. I’m not writing it to let you know that when your child is away you can get drunk and sleep all day. I write it, because once again I’ve realised that I’m still myself. Circumstances have changed, but I’m not that different more adult version of myself, I used to think I’ll become. I’m still optimistic and curious about life, irresponsible at times and I love music, people and to laugh at loud. My kid is just an awesome addition to my life.

And now food. There’s a small percentage of people who don’t like chocolate, or at least this is what I like to think, not to feel guilty. I like risotto a lot, this is my comfort food and I ask Tomasz to make it (he’s risotto king) when I feel blue or on any occasion. I saw a beautiful image by Citrus and Candy which lead me to her recipe for a chocolate risotto. How great idea is this!? Chocolate for breakfast is a must from time to time. Especially when cloudy days appear over Berlin and I feel like sitting next to my radiator with a hot chocolate in one and a good book in a second hand. This is a truly delicious recipe and it will give you an energy to face your day. Oh, and it takes only about 15 minutes to make it.

You will need (for 2 cups):

• ½ cup arborio rice
• 1 tbsp agave syrup
• pinch of salt
• 2 cups rice milk
• spring of rosemary
• 100g chocolate

For serving:

• pears fried on coconut oil
• sea salt
• nuts

In a pot place rice, syrup, salt and rice milk. I added a spring of rosemary, to give it an additional flavour. Bring it to boil, mixing all the time. When it starts to boil, decrease heating to small and cook for about 15 minutes. The rice will absorb most of the water. Take out the spring of rosemary and add a bar of chocolate broken in small pieces, which will melt in hot rice. Mix it so your rice looks all chocolaty and delicious. Set aside.

Cut pears in slices and fry on a coconut oil on both sides. Cut nuts.

Serve rice with pears, nuts, pinch of sea salt and maybe a leaf of mint.

Enjoy, Marta