Millet, Potato and Corn Risotto Expanded by Emma Louise and O'Death

This painter guy I used to see on public television once said "we don't make mistakes here, we just have happy accidents." This millet risotto was exactly that. I started with the intention of making quinoa corn chowder (similar to this one). I had no quinoa, only an unmarked grain in the back of the pantry that looked sort of like quinoa. I threw it in the stew, it expanded all crazy like, and I knew it wasn't quinoa. But what was it? It wasn't until walking through the grocery store late last night that I realized it was millet. Otherwise this recipe would've been called "unknown cereal grain with potato and corn risotto." Remember, happy accidents.

Millet, Potato and Corn Risotto
(printable version)

-2 cloves of garlic
-olive oil
-5 potatoes, cubed
-2 cans Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
-2 1/2 cups veggie stock
-2 cups millet
-water
-2 cups frozen corn
-1 onion diced
-salt, pepper and celery seeds (to taste)
-soy milk

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent, stirring continuously.

2. In a large pot bring the veggie stock to a boil. Add the potato cubes, onion and garlic making sure there is enough liquid to cover them completely (add water or more veggie stock if necessary). Cover and cook for 15 minutes (or until the potatoes are soft).

3. Measure out the millet and place it in the pot. Cook, uncovered, for fifteen minutes adding water (or stock) when necessary. Stir frequently to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan.

4. Add the corn, beans and spices (I didn't measure them just added to the taste I liked) to the mixture. Pour in enough soy milk to cover the entire batch of risotto. Continue heating and stirring until the soy milk has been absorbed. Serve three little bears style.

Emma Louise proves that Aayliah knew exactly what she was talking about when she named her debut album Age Ain't Nothing But a Number. In human years, Emma is only 19. In music terms, she is well beyond that. Listening to "Jungle" one expects to find a life-long artist on the other side of the speakers. Nope, just her. Emma's new EP, Full Hearts and Empty Rooms comes out this week.

Emma Louise-Jungle

O'Death is also very risotto worthy. These guys hail from the giant Metropolis that is Brooklyn, New York but make music that feels like it should be from some commune in the middle of Appalachia. Folky and raucous in the most controlled of manners "Bugs" is the first track off the bands new album Outside which hits stores on April 19th.

O'Death-Bugs (via Pitchfork)