Best Basic Risotto Recipes

BASIC RISOTTO RECIPE - JAMIE OLIVER

Steps:

• Stage 1.
• Heat the stock.
• Then in a separate pan heat the olive oil add the shallot or onion celery and a pinch of salt and sweat the vegetables for about 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic and after another 2 minutes when the vegetables have softened add the rice.
• Turn up the heat now.
• At this crucial point you can`t leave the pan and anyway this is the best bit.
• While slowly stirring continuously you are beginning to fry the rice.
• You don`t want any colour at any point (so remember you`re in control and if the temperature seems too high turn it down a bit).
• You must keep the rice moving.
• After 2 or 3 minutes it will begin to look translucent as it absorbs all the flavours of your base (it may crackle at this point that`s fine).
• Add the vermouth or wine keeping on stirring as it hits the pan it will smelt fantastic!
• It will sizzle around the rice evapourating any harsh alcohol flavours and leaving the rice with a tasty essence.
• I must admit I`m a sucker for dry vermouth. When it cooks into the rice it seems to give it a really full but subtle flavour and leaves a wicked sweetness that works perfectly with the rice. White wine is lovely probably more delicate and fresh.
• Try both see what you think.
• Stage 2.
• Once the vermouth or wine seems to have cooked into the rice add your first ladle of hot stock and a pinch of salt (add small amounts of salt to taste white you are adding the stock).
• Turn down the heat to a highish simmer (the reason we don`t want to boil the hell out of it is because if we do the outside of the rice wilt be cooked and fluffy and the inside will be raw).
• Keep adding ladlefuls of stock stirring and allowing each ladleful to be absorbed before adding the next.
• This will take about 15 minutes.
• Taste the rice is it cooked?
• Carry on adding stock until the rice is soft but with a slight bite.
• Check seasoning.
• Stage 3.
• Remove from the heat and add the butter and the Parmesan saving a little of the latter to go on top if you like.
• Stir gently.
• Eat it as soon as possible while it retains its moist texture.
• Serve it on its own or with a crisp green salad and a hunk of crusty bread.
• If you follow this recipe I promise you`ll be making some of the best risottos out. The real secret of a good risotto I`m afraid is that you have to stand over it and give it your loving and undivided attention for about 17 minutes but it`s worth it. The recipe is in stages; I am going to give you five of my favourite risottos all variants of this basic recipe.
• To find a dry white wine, a good rule of thumb is the greater the alcohol %, the drier the wine.

BASIC MICROWAVE RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a 3 quart, microwave safe casserole dish combine butter, garlic and onion. Place dish in microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes.
• Place vegetable broth in a microwave safe dish. Heat on microwave until the broth is hot but not boiling (approximately 2 minutes).
• Stir the rice and broth into the casserole dish with the onion, butter and garlic mixture. Cover the dish tightly and cook on high for 6 minutes.
• Stir wine into the rice. Cook on high for 10 minutes more. Most of the liquid should boil off. Stir the cheese into the rice and serve.

BASIC RISOTTO

Steps:

• Pick through the rice to remove any stones or foreign matter, but do not wash the rice 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 one cup of chicken stock, stirring
• occasionally, and cook over very low heat until the stock is absorbed by the rice. Continue adding the stock, a cupful 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 cheese, and the heavy cream. Stir to combine all the ingredients and serve immediately.

BASIC RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring broth to a simmer; reduce heat and keep warm. In a 10-inch heavy-bottomed skillet or pot, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high. Add shallot, season with salt and pepper, and cook until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until rice is translucent at edges, 1 minute.
• Add wine and stir until evaporated, about 2 minutes. With a ladle, add about 1 cup broth to skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until broth is absorbed, 4 minutes. Repeat, gradually adding broth by the cupful and stirring constantly, until rice is tender but still al dente and sauce is creamy (you may not need all of broth), 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and Parmesan. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

BASIC RISOTTO (PRESSURE COOKER)

Steps:

• Warm the chicken stock in a small saucepan.
• Finely chop the shallots, celery, and garlic.
• Add the olive oil to the pressure cooker, and place over medium heat.
• Add the shallots and celery with a pinch of salt, and sweat for about 3 minutes, until the shallots are translucent and softened.
• Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes (don't let the garlic brown).
• Turn the heat up to high, and add the rice with another pinch of salt. Fry the rice for 2 - 3 minutes, keeping it moving so it doesn't burn.
• When the rice is translucent, add the vermouth (be careful, it will steam). Stir until the alcohol is cooked off and the liquid is absorbed.
• Add the chicken stock, and give it a stir. Lock on the lid and bring to pressure.
• Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4 minutes. Remove the pressure cooker from the heat, and let sit for 7 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the butter into small cubes, and grate the parmesan.
• Carefully release any remaining pressure.
• Stir in the butter, cheese, and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately.

BASIC RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring broth to boil in saucepan.
• Melt butter in a different saucepan.
• Add onion and garlic to butter, saute until tender.
• Add rice. Saute 2-3 minutes.
• Add white wine. Stir until absorbed.
• Add hot broth 1/4 cup at a time. Stir occasionally until broth is absorbed.
• Continue adding broth in small amounts until all broth is absorbed. This should take 20-25 minutes.
• Try some of the rice. It should be tender but firm.
• When the rice is done, add cheese. Stir until melted and combined.
• Serve immediately.

RISOTTO, BASIC -_ PRESSURE COOKER

Steps:

• 1. Add the olive oil to the pressure cooker over medium heat. 2. Add the onions and celery (if using) and sweat translucent and softened. 4. Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes (careful not to let the garlic brown). 5. Turn the heat up to high, add the rice and stir to coat. 6. When the rice is translucent (2 - 3 minutes), add the wine. Stir until the alcohol is cooked off and the liquid is absorbed. 7. Stir in the chicken stock. Lock on the lid and bring to pressure. 8. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4 minutes. Remove the pressure cooker from the heat, and let sit for 7 minutes. 9. Meanwhile, cut the butter into small cubes, and grate the parmesan. 10. Carefully release any remaining pressure. 11. Stir in the butter, cheese, salt and pepper to taste. 12. Serve immediately.

BASIC CREAMY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Saute the onion in melted butter in a large saucepan until tender. Add rice, Chablis, parsley flakes, basil, paprika and onion powder. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
• Add 1/2 cup broth, stirring constantly, until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Continue adding broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring until the mixture is creamy and the rice is tender.
• Remove from heat, and stir in 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

BEST BASIC RISOTTO RECIPE

Steps:

• Place broth on back burner within easy reach; bring to and keep broth at a low simmer.
• Over medium-high heat, sauté onion in olive oil in large Dutch-oven for 3 minutes; add rice and continue sautéing for another minute.
• Add hot broth to rice a half-cup at a time; stirring and allowing rice to absorb broth before each next addition of broth ~ There will be 20 or so total half-cup additions.
• Continue adding broth a half-cup at a time, and stirring, until the rice is creamy with its grains cooked "firm to the tooth" (not mushy or soupy) and broth is absorbed.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in cheese; serve.
• NOTE: You do not have to use all 6 cups broth ~ Last time I made this risotto it required only 5 1/8 cups broth.

BASIC RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a medium pot over medium-high heat and lower the flame to a simmer.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 4 minutes. Add the white wine and salt and continue to cook, stirring vigorously, until the wine has completely evaporated. Add 1 cup of the chicken stock and continue to cook and stir vigorously. When the chicken stock has been almost completely absorbed, about 7 minutes, add another cup of the chicken stock and continue to cook, stirring constantly but not vigorously. When the chicken stock has been almost completely absorbed, add the remaining 2 1/2 cups chicken stock and continue to cook, for a total cooking time of about 25 minutes, stirring gently so that the rice does not stick.
• Stir in the butter and Parmesan and mix to incorporate. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Transfer to a platter or serving plates and finish with a generous turn of the pepper mill.