Risotto 101

Risotto is one of those dishes that a lot of people love but are way too afraid to make at home- well don’t be! While time consuming, it is not overly difficult. All it takes is proper prep and a good strong stirring hand (or someone who will take turns with you).

The basic ingredients of risotto are, Arborio rice, onions, and chicken stock and the flavorings are up to you! Our go to risotto is Dirty Risotto from Giada’s Everyday Italian

Ingredients

• 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 ounces pancetta, chopped
• 1 link (about 6 ounces) spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
• 3/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 4 ounces button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
• 3/4 cup dry white wine (tonight we used a 2008 Cline from Sonoma)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves (we omit this if we don’t have any in the house)

Directions

In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer. Cover the broth and keep warm over low heat. In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sausage and saute until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

 

      

Add the onion, bell pepper, and mushrooms and sauté until tender, scraping up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

 

 

Add the rice and stir to coat. Add the wine and simmer until the wine has almost completely evaporated, about 1 minute.

 

 

Add 1/2 cup of simmering broth and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking the rice, adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of broth to absorb before adding the next, until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite and the mixture is creamy, about 25 to 30 minutes total.

 

 

Remove from the heat. Stir in 3/4 of the Parmesan.

 

 

Transfer the risotto to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with the parsley and remaining Parmesan and serve immediately.

 

 

 

 

  

It is 7pm and I am seriously contemplating going to bed, I am hoping to be asleep by 8:30!