Baked Rice with Fontina and Pancetta

This recipe courtesy of Easy Living Magazine

Comfort Food – Italian Style

Serves : 4  –  Prep time : 20 mins  –  Cook time : 25 mins  –
Cals per serving : 901  – Fat : 45.8g

Ingredients:  400g (13oz) Arborio rice; 2 tsp finely grated lemon zest; 1 tblsp roughly chopped basil; 100ml (3 ½ fl oz) double cream; 100ml (3 ½ fl oz) boiling vegetable stock; 140g (4 ½ oz) pancetta, cubed; 250g (8oz) fontina cheese, thinly sliced; 125g (4oz) grated Parmesan; Butter; 1 tblsp chopped flat leaf parsley

1. Heat the oven to 180^oC (gas mark 4).
2. Cook the rice in boiling salted water until just al dente. Drain well.  Stir the lemon zest, basil, cream and stock through the rice. Meanwhile, sauté the pancetta in a large frying pan over a medium heat until starting to crisp.
3. Spread half the rice in a greased 1.5l (48 fl oz) baking dish.  Top with half the pancetta, half the fontina, half the Parmesan and a knob or two of butter.  Season with salt and pepper.
4. Repeat and make another layer, finishing with the Parmesan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden.  Sprinkle with chopped parsley.