Ingredients

  • 1 gallon chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
  • 3 medium yams, about 1 pound total, peeled, cut in half
  • 1 carrot, peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon water
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 18 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup shaved almonds
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 white onion, minced
  • 3 cups Arborio rice
  • 10 cups broth (see above)
  • 1/2 cup fresh minced sage leaves
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 2 cups bitter greens, like mustard or dandelion, rinsed and shredded
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch dice

Method

  • Combine the chicken broth, yams, carrot and celery in a large pot and bring to a boil.
  • Lower heat and simmer until reduced to 10 cups, about 30 minutes.
  • With a slotted spoon remove 1 yam, cut it into 1/2-inch dice and set aside to use in preparing the rice.
  • Remove the broth and remaining vegetables from the heat, puree in a blender and set aside to cool.
  • Meanwhile, make the garnish.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Combine the olive oil, water, salt and cayenne in a bowl.
  • Add the almonds and toss to coat them.
  • Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
  • Remove from the sheet and set aside.
  • The recipe can be done ahead to this point for up to 3 days before serving; refrigerate the broth and the diced yam.
  • Forty minutes before serving, warm the yam broth over low heat and bring the reserved yam to room temperature if necessary.
  • In a heavy pot, melt the butter over low heat.
  • Add the onion, cover and cook until soft, about 5 minutes, stirring to avoid browning.
  • Add the rice and stir well.
  • Ladle in 1/2 cup of the broth and stir.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and for the next half hour continue ladling in the broth and stirring the rice to help it absorb the liquid and to prevent it from sticking.
  • After 20 minutes, add the diced yam.
  • When 1 cup of yam broth remains, the rice should be tender.
  • If it is not, add simmering water and continue stirring until it is.
  • Remove from the heat immediately.
  • Vigorously stir in the remaining yam broth.
  • This should make a very soupy porridge.
  • Quickly stir in half the minced sage and chives and the Parmesan.
  • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir in the greens and carefully stir in the mozzarella.
  • Divide among bowls.
  • Garnish with a sprinkling of the spiced almonds and the remaining fresh sage and chives and serve immediately.