Creamy mascarpone and ricotta add a touch of luxury to this simple vegetable risotto. Omit the deep-fried courgette flowers to make a quick mid-week meal.
For the courgette risotto, melt 25g/1oz of the butter in a large pan until foaming. Fry the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the Arborio rice and stir well to coat in the butter.
Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the rice grains start to turn translucent, then add the wine and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until nearly all of the liquid has evaporated.
Add a ladleful of the chicken stock to the pan and stir well. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until nearly all of the stock has been absorbed, then add another ladleful of the stock. Repeat the process until the rice is cooked but still al dente (retaining bite).
Add the courgette during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking and then stir in the mascarpone, 25g/1oz of the parmesan and the remaining butter. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
For the deep-fried courgette flowers, heat a deep-sided frying pan filled two-thirds full with the oil until hot but not smoking, or heat a deep-fat fryer to 190C/375F (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)
Mix the ricotta with the lemon zest and juice, then spoon the mixture into the courgette flowers and twist the end to seal.
In a bowl, mix together the yeast, salt, sugar, tonic water, flour, vodka and vinegar. Set aside until the batter starts to bubble, then dip in the flowers to coat and deep-fry in the hot oil for two minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper.
For the basil oil, blend the basil and oil in a blender until smooth, then pass through a sieve.
To serve, place the risotto in serving bowls and top with the courgette flowers. Drizzle the basil oil around the risotto and top with the remaining parmesan.
