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Basic Risotto and Several Variations

Recipe courtesy of Gourmet Magazine

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (31)

  • Cook Time:

    --

  • Level:

    Easy

  • Yield:

    4 servings

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup Arborio rice
  • 2 tablespoons pure olive oil
  • 1 large onion, peeled and finely diced
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

Pick through the rice to remove any stones or foreign matter, but do not wash it before cooking.

Using a large skillet with a heavy bottom, heat the olive oil over low heat and saute or "sweat" the onions until translucent, being careful not to allow them to color or brown at all.

Add the Arborio rice, stir to coat with the olive oil, and saute with the onions to toast each grain of rice, about 7 minutes. This toasting process adds the chewy, al dente quality that attracts so many people to risotto.

Once the rice is lightly toasted, add the white wine slowly, stirring with a wooden spoon. (A wooden spoon is always preferable when making risotto, as a metal spoon tends to cut or injure the grains of rice. Constant stirring should be avoided for the same reason.)

Preheat the chicken stock just to the boiling point, then have it ready at stoveside. After the rice has absorbed the white wine and the skillet is nearly dry, add 1 cup stock, stirring occasionally, and cook over very low heat until the stock is absorbed. Continue adding the stock, 1 cup at a time, until all the stock has been absorbed.

(Adding the liquid in stages, instead of all at once, allows the grains of rice to expand more fully, adding to the risotto's creamy texture.) Once the rice has been added to the pan, the entire cooking process will take about 17 to 20 minutes.

After all of the liquid has been added and the rice is chewy yet fully cooked, with a creamy texture, add the butter, Parmesan, and heavy cream. Stir to combine all the ingredients and serve immediately. Variations: Sauteed shrimp Mixed seafood (such as salmon, shrimp, and scallops) sauteed in olive oil and herbs Diced fresh vegetables, steamed or sauteed in olive oil (asparagus and carrots make a wonderful combination) Fresh green peas in season Sauteed mushrooms and herbs Roasted Garlic

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Read more Comments & Reviews (31)

Comments & Reviews

  • recipe Basic Risotto and Several Variations
    charlie Round Lake Beach, IL 08-28-2009

    Flag

    WOW!!

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    This is the best Risotto, my family real enjoys it.
  • recipe Basic Risotto and Several Variations
    Emily Goose Creek, SC 08-09-2009

    Flag

    My 1st Risotto

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    The steps were easy to follow and the recipe was delicious! As others have said, I also used more chicken stock than the... recipe required (approx 3 cups)but I left nothing out. For my variation, I boiled aparagus in the chicken stock for about a min. Then moved the aparagus to an ice bath. I also sauteed some scallops and set those aside. When the recipe required the stock, I used the stock used to boil the aparagus. I chopped the aparagus about 1/2 in - 1 in. Towards the last 5 mins of the recipe being completed, i added both the chopped aparagus and scallops to the risotto. AMAZING!!! Read more
  • recipe Basic Risotto and Several Variations
    SAMIA highland pard, IL 06-24-2009

    Flag

    exxcellent

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    this was the easiest recipe i have come across, i used leftover shrimp, asparagus and mushrooms. I also didnt use wine so... added extra stock. Be careful with the salt when adding the chicken stock. i love that it only calls for 2 tbs of cream yet the taste is so creamy and thick..Read more
  • recipe Basic Risotto and Several Variations
    Samantha New York, NY 05-08-2009

    Flag

    Almost...

    Rated: 4 stars out of 5
    As other reviewers have noted, I had to use about an extra cup of liquid (I used water for this to avoid over salting) and... extra cooking time. I added sauteed cremini mushrooms and asparagus tips and it was delicious! I'll definitely make this again.Read more
  • recipe Basic Risotto and Several Variations
    Ann Lake Zurich, IL 04-26-2009

    Flag

    Very good

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    I actually combined this recipe with Giada's champagne risotto. What I like about this recipe is it tells you exactly how to... make a risotto step by step. It was my first time trying a risotto and it turned out wonderful thanks to the great instructions. I will definitely use this recipe every time a make a risotto.Read more
  • recipe Basic Risotto and Several Variations
    Christine C. Murrysville, PA 04-04-2009

    Flag

    My Go-to Risotto

    Rated: 5 stars out of 5
    This recipe is my go-to risotto recipe. We made it tonight and added fresh spring peas. What a treat! I recommend this... recipe to everyone!Read more
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