Risotto is to Italians what Mac & Cheese is to
Americans... comfort food.
Of course, every Italian dish seems 'oh so special', and for
good reason; Italians know how to take
simple ingredients and elevate them to restaurant worthy fare, largely because
they have patience with food.
And Risotto does require a little patience. The trade off, however, is worth a few minutes
at the stove.
Last week I had to prepare these dishes to photograph for Studio 5. It ended up being a long day, and I didn't get it done until midnight!
I curled up on the couch, turned on some late-night Fallon, snuggled in a blanket and ate the entire bowl of Risotto. I didn't plan on it, but it was the perfect food for the perfect setting.
One of the reasons I wanted to do Risotto for Studio 5 is because it has a reputation, one that I wanted to dispel; that it's difficult, hard to get right and laborious.
I am by no means a Risotto expert, but I did my homework. I tried several recipes, even the no-stir method (which I don't recommend).
It just isn't that hard or time-consuming. Beginning to end, about 30 minutes. That includes all 3 stages of making Risotto.
1. Prepping the rice
2. Cooking the rice
3. Finishing the rice
Yes, Risotto does require tending, but not constantly, you
can multi-task in the kitchen while you cook it. clean some dishes, put a salad together, set
the table etc...
You'll need a few basic ingredients to get started. The most important is the rice. Risotto requires a unique rice called Arborio. It's a short grained, very starchy rice that if cooked properly will render a beautiful creamy dish.
As well as Chicken stock (Vegetable if you want vegetarian), but Chicken has more flavor, but I've used it in a pinch.
Butter, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, onion. I also like to add a squeeze of lemon when finishing. Wine is also used, but you can use stock or water in place.
Basic Risotto Recipe
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1 quart chicken stock
1/2 cup white wine (or use water or stock)
1/2 cup (or so) chopped white or yellow onion
3 Tbsp Butter
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
squeeze of lemon (a few teaspoons) to taste
Chopped green (chives, parsley or basil)
salt to taste
Cream
Directions:
Heat stock in a separate pan.
Stage 1: Prepping the rice
In a large heavy bottomed pan (I like to use a cast iron
enamel pot) heat oil and 1 Tbsp of the butter over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until
softened.
Add rice to pot and stir in briskly with a wooden spoon so
grains of rice are coated with oil/butter.
Saute, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until you can start to smell the
rice. Do not brown the rice as that will inhibit the release of starch from the rice.
Add 1/2 cup wine (or broth or water). Stir and cook until liquid is fully absorbed (about 30 seconds). This will deglaze the pan, integrating the oil/butter throughout the rice.
Stage 2: Cooking the rice
Add about a cup (about a ladleful) of hot stock to pan,
stir and cook for approx. 5 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Continue adding a cup of stock and cooking it
off about every 5 minutes.
To begin with, the liquid might cook off in as little as 3 minutes, then that time will extend the longer the rice cooks. But it should only take a total of 20 minutes total to cook, so you might want to put a timer for that.
Do not boil rice, just a nice simmer . You should see some bubbles, but it should
not be roiling/boiling.
You do need to stir occasionally, but not constantly. Check for liquid absorption frequently. If you let it dry out and cook that way, the
rice with get mushy.
It will take about 20 - 25 minutes to cook the rice from
when you started adding stock. This
depends on your pot, how well it holds the heat and your stove top temp. If you run out of stock and your rice still
isn't cooked, just add a little water now until it's cooked.
The BEST way to determine when Risotto is cooked is to
taste it. After 15 minutes, start to taste a few
kernels of rice. Properly cooked it should be soft on
the outside, but have a bit of resistance in the middle (al dente). Do not overcook. As soon as it's right, turn the heat off.
Stage 3: Finishing Risotto
Add 2 more Tbsp of butter and vigorously beat it in (you are emulsifying the starch with the added fat). Then add cheese & Parsley (or other
green) and beat again. Salt to
taste. Add a squeeze of freshly squeezed
lemon juice. Taste.
Add a few Tbsp of cream and stir.
Like all starchy sauces, it will seize (get thick) with time, so
it's best to have it a little runny so that by the time you serve, it will be
the right consistency.
You can add water, stock or/or cream to loosen Risotto up a
bit.
It should run like hot lava across the plate. It should not be soupy. It should not be sticky and form a mound.
Variations:
You can eat Risotto just plain, but it's very easy to add
things to it, as it's done at the end.
My favorite is...
· Peas & Mushrooms: Sauce mushrooms and peas in some butter, stir
in or place on top.
·
Asparagus: nice for a spring dish
·
Seafood:
nice for a dinner party.
Scallops, Shrimp or even better, Lobster!
why do leftovers have such a bad reputation? I love leftovers. They often taste better the next day and saves me time in the kitchen.
Aracini is a perfect example. Made from left-over Risotto, it will take you minutes to stuff and roll these into balls, deep fry and serve with some marinara sauce and salad. Quick, delicious lunch or dinner! Also a very pretty appetizer for a dinner party.
A friend of ours, who lived in Sicily when he was young, shared this uniquely Sicilian dish with us a few years back. Although it is served throughout Italy now as street food and as appetizers in restaurants.
Typically, Sicilians make them quite large, about the size of a baseball. I prefer a smaller size (icecream scoop works well) so the rice/cheese/crispy outside is a better ratio.
Arancini (Sicilian Rice Balls)
Left-over Risotto
Cheese or other fillings
Seasoned Bread crumbs
Oil to fry with
Directions:
Scoop cold Risotto into your hand and made a well with your
fingers. Stuff with a piece of cheese
(mozzarella or any good melting cheese works well). Re-form the ball over the cheese.
Roll in breadcrumbs and deep fry at 360 for approx. 2 minutes
until golden brown, the rice is hot and the cheese has melted.
Serve on a bed or marinara sauce, with droplets of pesto and
a scattering of fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
Make tiny Arancini balls as an party food!
1 comments:
I want to eat at your house!!
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