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Chef Massimo’s RISOTTO & STRAWBERRIES WITH ASPARAGUS Everything Bacon! #1 #2 “Entertain guests in style with these spring-inspired culinary dishes!” Make bacon-infused vodka for your Bloody Mary by steeping cooked bacon and peppercorns in vodka for 2-3 days in the fridge. #4 Massimo Capra Bake bacon in the oven at 375°F for 1015 minutes or until it reaches your desired crispiness. #3 chef Do you hate it when bacon shrinks while it cooks? We have a solution! Run your bacon under cold water before cooking it to reduce shrinkage! Pour a strip of pancake batter on your griddle and lay a piece of cooked bacon in the centre for a yummy treat! Photo by Stephani Buchman DIRECTIONS INGREDIENTS 500 grams 1 med. 1 Tbsp 50 grams 1 glass 1.5 litre 1 bunch carnaroli rice onion finely chopped oil butter white wine chicken or asparagus fortified vegetable stock asparagus cleaned blanched and diced 1 pint 1 strawberries washed and diced lemon (rind only) parmesan cheese grated 1. Sweat the onion in a little oil until golden using a heavy bottom pot. 2. Add rice and let it toast for a few minutes. 3. Add wine, and let evaporate. TIPS 4. Add two ladles of stock. When in season feel free to use white and wild asparagus as well as strawberries. 5. Simmer gently, for about 15-18 minutes while stirring it on occasion to prevent sticking. 7. Sauté the asparagus in butter until soft. 8. Season asparagus to taste and add to the rice at the tenth minute mark. 9. When the rice is cooked turn the fire off and add strawberries, butter, cheese and lemon rind. 10. Stir well and serve. 6. Add stock as required. Risotto should be runny but not liquid. CHEF SECRETS FOR YOUR KITCHEN INSTANT CUPCAKE TOPPING A few minutes before your cupcakes are ready, place a marshmallow on top of them. When pulling them out of the oven, press the marshmallow down for a yummy browned marshmallow icing. 36 THE BEST FINDS When shopping for vegetables, always look for darker colours. The darker the colour, the more ripe and tasty they will be.