Drew Barrymore Cooks Risotto With Filipino Chef Pilar Valdes
Filipino chef Pilar Valdes was recently featured on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” teaching its namesake host to make a healthy quinoa risotto.
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Barrymore introduced Valdes as “someone very special to me. She’s an incredibly talented chef, and we’ve been side by side now for about three years, and she’s also my dear friend.”
“Pilar and I bonded early on wanting to make food, because I am a pendulum— heavier, lighter, heavier, lighter. No pretty little middle,” said Barrymore, who said she didn’t think the usual chicken and broccoli recipes out there were “sustainable for happiness.”
“With Pilar, we found out how to make all these craving dishes but in a way that’s really healthy and good for digestion and keeping the weight off. And I’m happy!” said Barrymore. “Pilar, I love you!”
Valdes is the co-founder of Kickshaw Cookery, a New York-based catering business that she describes as “thoughtful, inventive cooking with an eye towards sustainability and seasonality.” She's also Barrymore's personal chef.
For the show, Valdes chose to make a risotto with winter squash, seared mushrooms, and fresh herbs.
“The weather is starting to get colder. We wanted something cozy, something really comforting,” Valdes said.
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“Risotto is traditionally made with rice. I’m from the Philippines, rice is queen, I’m all about rice,” she said. "But sometimes we have to make adjustments in our diet, and quinoa is the most amazing substitute. It’s packed with protein, it’s gluten-free. It’s not a grain, it’s actually a seed, and it has tons of vitamins, it’s really easy, it’s a great thing to have in your pantry.
Watch the two friends make their dish here:
Get the recipe here.