I know this dish may seem a little strange. But bear with me — citrus risotto isn’t some odd sweet-and-sour rice porridge. It’s an elegant dish that beautifully balances tart, creamy, salty and sweet flavors.
Dried beans are a pantry superhero - inexpensive and easy to prepare. Get a head start by cooking the beans in advance. They can be stored, covered and refrigerated, up to 3 days.
Broiling the eggplant coaxes out a deeper, more complex flavor. We like to keep the antioxidant-packed skin on, but feel free to peel the eggplant before broiling. You can garnish the dish with extra basil leaves.