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1
Place the water in a large saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil.
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2
Stir in the salt.
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3
Add the carrots and boil them until just tender, about 4 minutes.
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4
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the carrots to a blender.
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5
(Reserve the water in the saucepan for the broth.)
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6
Blend the carrots with 3/4 cup of the hot water from the saucepan until smooth, adding additional water 1 tablespoon at a time if the puree is too thick.
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7
(You should have about 1 1/2 cups.)
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8
Set aside.
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9
Place all of the ingredients in the reserved hot carrot-cooking water, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat.
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10
Remove the cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until a light carrot flavor develops, about 30 minutes.
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11
Strain into another large saucepan and discard the solids.
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12
Keep the broth at a bare simmer over low heat while you prepare the risotto.
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13
In a large straight-sided pan, heat the oil over medium heat until shimmering.
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14
Add the onion, garlic, and thyme and season with a pinch each of salt and pepper.
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15
Cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes.
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16
Add the rice and measured salt and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice starts to crackle, about 1 minute.
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17
Add the wine and cook, stirring constantly, until the wine has evaporated, about 1 minute more.
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18
Add the grated carrots and cook, stirring, until the carrot strips start to wilt, about 45 seconds.
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19
Add about 2/3 cup of the warm broth and cook, stirring frequently, until the rice has almost completely absorbed it.
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20
Continue adding broth, 2/3 cup at a time, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes.
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21
(Do not let the pan get drythere should be a veil of stock over the rice at all times.)
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22
Stir in the reserved carrot puree and season with salt and pepper.
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23
When almost all of the liquid from the puree has been absorbed, add more broth, a little at a time, and taste regularly, until the rice is tender but firm to the bite, about 10 to 15 minutes more.
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24
When the risotto is done, stir in the Parmesan and butter.
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25
Season with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
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26
Just before serving, add a little of any remaining broth to loosen the risotto.
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27
Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
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28
Serve warm with more Parmesan.