Ingredients
- Main Ingredients:
- For Your Basil Oil
Instructions
Make your basil oil first. Bring water to a boil in a pot and add in your basil to blanch for about 15-20 seconds. Remove immediately in an ice bath. Once cooled, dry on towels.
In a blender, add in your basil, neutral oil, olive oil and a pinch of salt until it’s super creamy and mixed throughout. Feel free to strain through a fine mesh sieve, but I like the texture without straining, up to you! Store in a bottle and set aside. It makes about 1 cup of basil oil. (Save the rest for future recipes!)
Next, in a deep saute pan of your choice (I prefer stainless steel for risotto), heat a drizzle of olive oil and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter has melted, sweat out your shallot and garlic for about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper throughout.
After that, add in your RiceSelect® Arborio Rice, and stir for another 3-4 minutes on medium-low heat - you don’t want your risotto to toast or burn.
Add in white wine and reduce down, stirring constantly so the risotto separates accurately and no clumps form. Once that’s reduced, start slowly adding in your vegetable broth ½ cup at a time. This will take some time and patience.
Every time you add ½ cup and throughout each time it absorbs, don’t leave your stovetop, ensure you are constantly stirring throughout the process.
Once all your broth is used up, and your risotto is cooked, add in your mascarpone, parmesan, and corn. Keep stirring until everything is incorporated. Adjust with more broth if needed once all the cheese mixes in. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve and top with your desired amount of basil oil, raw corn, pepper, more parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve and enjoy immediately!
Creamy Risotto
For a vibrant take on the classic dish, this cozy and creamy summer risotto is made with sweet corn and a bright homemade basil oil. Starting with a traditional base of onion and garlic sautéed in butter and olive oil, the Riceselect® Arborio Rice grains are toasted lightly and simmered in wine and vegetable broth until tender.
To give this dish its signature touch, foodie influencer Lindsey Baruch adds not only Parmesan into her dish, but mascarpone cheese as well along with sweet corn cut off the cob for a fun creamed corn style dish. Celebrate fresh summer produce with a decadent herbed oil drizzled on top for the perfect finish. Top with raw corn for a bit of extra crunch.
Find out more recipe tips and cooking advice from Lindsey Baruch to make your own cooking experience for a night in at home.
What Makes Arborio Perfect for Risotto?
Making the perfect risotto starts with the right rice. The bold, medium grains of arborio rice are high in starch, giving the dish its signature silky texture and al dente bite. When broth is added and the rice is stirred continuously, that starch is released, making it naturally richer for an unforgettable risotto meal.
Taste the incredible difference in this recipe and find out for yourself why other foodies and chefs alike stock their pantries with Riceselect® products for their go-to rice, grain and pasta dishes. Try with other favorites like a Spring Greens Risotto or a Seafood Risotto, or use arborio for other Italian rice recipes like this Sausage and Sage Arancini.
Other Meal Inspiration
If you are struggling for meal inspiration, learn how to make this pearl couscous recipe.
