Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat oil and butter in a large heavy saucepan.
- Add shallots and garlic and sauté over medium heat until shallots are tender, about 2 minutes.
- Add rice and stir until all grains are coated and slightly translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Add wine and stir over medium-high heat until all wine is absorbed.
- Add about 1 cup of hot broth to rice and stir constantly until almost all the broth is absorbed. Continue to add hot broth, one cup at a time, stirring until liquid is absorbed, before adding more broth. Use enough broth to cook the rice until it is just al dente.
- Remove from heat and stir in Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Understanding Risotto
Although it may have originated as a comforting rice dish from Italy, this meal has made its way around the world as a global phenomenon on account of its creamy and luscious texture with amazing taste. And, while it's often associated with high-class Italian restaurants, it’s quite simple to make at home, but requires practice to reach perfection.
First, it’s essential to start with the right rice - Arborio Rice. In contrast to its long grain counterpart, the medium grains contain more starch, which is released when stirred into heat and liquid. This offers the signature creamy risotto texture. In fact, cream is not actually part of the traditional recipe, but has been added by chefs later for flavor and a bit more texture.
Once you’ve got the right rice variety, with a little practice you’ll be well on your way to using your own culinary creativity to master this dish. No matter what drives you, make sure to follow these simple tips for great risotto dishes:
- Add in warm stock or broth. Cold broth would cool your dish and pan, ultimately slowing the process and cooking the rice unevenly for an undesired texture. Keep your broth at a simmer in a pot close by.
- Stir often but not constantly. If you stir too often it may make your dish gluey, so it’s best to stir often to avoid sticking and make sure that the grains release their starch and bump into each other.
- Cook the rice to al dente. Just like pasta, you’ll need to cook your rice to al dente, with a slightly chewy bite to avoid a mushy texture.
If you're wondering how long to cook Arborio Rice, it all depends on the amount of liquid you use at a time and your desired texture, but some experts say it should take about 25-35 minutes.
Risotto Varieties
Using this classic risotto recipe as your muse, you can get creative with your favorite pairings and make your own masterpiece in the kitchen! We’ve got plenty of ideas to get those juices flowing.
Vegetables:
Mushroom Risotto Recipe
Butternut Squash Risotto Recipe
Chicken:
Chicken Pesto Risotto
Seafood:
Seafood Risotto Recipe with scallops, shrimp, calamari, sea kelp and clams.
Curry Risotto with Baked Salmon
Sausage:
Sausage and Sage Arancini
Other Rice Inspiration
If you want to try some other Mediterranean style dishes, try out this Lemon Orzo Soup. Alternatively for something a bit more exotic, you can take a look at our advice on cooking Pearl Couscous or how to make a Shrimp Salad recipe.
