Print

Creamy Risotto

Creamy Risotto
Print Recipe

Creamy risotto is a classic Italian dish renowned for its rich, smooth, and luscious texture created by coaxing out starch from Arborio rice. This recipe guides you through making the perfect restaurant-quality risotto using simple ingredients and easy-to-follow techniques, ideal for both beginners and experienced cooks. Customize it with your favorite vegetables, meats, or herbs for a versatile and comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Essential Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups Arborio rice
  • 4–5 cups good quality chicken, vegetable, or seafood broth (kept warm)
  • 1 small onion or 2 shallots, finely chopped
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Broth: Start by warming your broth in a saucepan over low heat. Keeping it hot is essential because adding cold liquid to the rice slows the cooking and affects the texture.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat olive oil and gently cook finely chopped onions or shallots until translucent and fragrant, forming the flavor base.
  3. Toast the Rice: Add Arborio rice to the pan and stir for a couple of minutes until each grain is coated and slightly translucent around the edges, which primes it for absorbing liquids evenly.
  4. Deglaze with Wine: Pour in dry white wine and stir until mostly evaporated; this step adds brightness and the wonderful complexity that balances the final richness.
  5. Gradually Add Hot Broth: Begin ladling warm broth, one scoop at a time, stirring constantly and allowing the rice to absorb each addition before adding the next. This technique coax out the starch and develops risotto’s signature creaminess.
  6. Finish with Butter and Parmesan: Once the rice is tender but still slightly firm to the bite (al dente), remove the pan from heat. Stir in pats of butter and freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, then season with salt and pepper.

Notes

  • Constant stirring gently releases the rice’s starch evenly for creamy texture.
  • Always use warm broth to maintain even cooking temperature and texture.
  • Patience is key: adding broth slowly controls moisture and consistency perfectly.
  • Choose Arborio, Carnaroli, or Vialone Nano rice for best results.
  • Add butter and cheese after removing from heat to keep the risotto silky without overheating the cheese.
  • Leftover risotto can be refrigerated up to 2 days and reheated gently with added broth for creaminess.
  • Risotto does not freeze well as it affects texture significantly.
  • If white wine is unavailable, substitute with extra broth plus a splash of lemon juice or vinegar for acidity.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy risotto, Italian rice dish, Arborio rice recipe, easy risotto, comfort food, vegetarian risotto option

Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/creamy-risotto/