Happy New Year and Happy Three Kings Day!  Best wishes to you and your loved ones and may 2010 be filled with peace, love and health to all.

My first post of the year is the recipe people ask me for the most:  my version of Risotto alla Milanese.

Risotto is a classic dish from Northern Italy where there are plenty of rice paddies.  What makes risotto different from any other rice dish is the process you have to follow in order to release the starch form the rice to create the creamy texture characteristic of the risotto. In a nutshell, what makes a risotto a risotto is:

1. “tostatura” – in which every grain of rice is coated with a film of fat (butter or olive oil)

2.  Add wine and allow to be absorbed completely by the rice

3.  Gradually add stock (hot) and constantly stir with a wooden spoon in order to release the starch from the rice that creates the creamy texture typical of the risotto.

4.  “mantecatura”-  when rice is “al dente” remove from heat  and add cold butter and cheese ( some recipes don’t include cheese)

Often I hear people comment on “how hard risotto is to make”.  I ask them if they have tried making it and usually the answer is no. Let me assure you that’s a misconception. Making risotto takes time… but it is not hard at all!!!  We are so used to the terms “fast food, fast track, microwaveable”, that meals that take more than 3 steps to prepare seem to us like an eternity and too much work.  I love to make this dish for friends and/or family gatherings.  I prepare and measure all ingredients ahead of time in small bowls and keep my recipe card close at hand so that I don’t miss any steps. Don’t forget the stock has to be hot, not boiling when you start adding to the rice. Heat it in a sauce pan next to the risotto pan for easy access and pour with a ladle.  After you are done with the procedure of the first 5 ingredients, your guests can help do the stirring until it is time for the finishing touches.

This recipe is the basis for almost every risotto you will make.  I am including variations you can make after you master the basic steps.  Buon appetito!

Risotto Milanese

Ingredients

4 tbsp butter (divided in half)

pinch of saffron threads

1/2 white onion finely chopped (I like vidalia or sweet)

1 cup arborio rice

1/2 cup of dry white wine

3 cups of chicken stock (approximately) low sodium and organic if you find it, hot

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup grated Parmegiano-Reggiano cheese

Salt about 1 tsp

Pepper to taste

Procedure:

1.  Add saffron threads to white wine (room temperature) to allow the saffron to bloom at least an hour before starting to make risotto. If you don’t have an hour, warm the wine to shorten blooming time.  (FYI Saffron is a water soluble spice and will release its color on water soluble liquids only.)

2.  Heat a heavy bottomed deep sauté pan over medium heat.

3.  Add half the butter to the sauté pan and reserve the rest for the end of the recipe.

4.  Add the onion to the hot butter (don’t let it brown) and sauteé over medium heat until translucent.

5.  Add arborio rice and sauté briefly until the hard amylase center of the rice is visible (white dot).

6.  Add white wine/saffron mixture to the pan and cook until most of the wine is absorbed.

7.  Add the hot chicken stock approximately one cup at a time. Only add enough stock at one time to barely cover rice grains.  Stir slowly until the liquid is mostly absorbed.  Continue adding stock until the rice has reached the desired consistency. Unlike regular rice, the risotto should still have a center that is slightly firm to the tongue.

8.  When rice is almost done, add heavy cream, stir and allow to become absorbed.

9.  Remove pan from heat, add in the remaining butter, parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and fresh ground pepper. Let rest covered for about 8 minutes. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

IF YOU HAVE LEFTOVERS MAKE ARANCINI (RISOTTO CROQUETTES WHICH CAN BE FILLED WITH MOZZARELLA). Recipe found under appetizers.

Variations

NOTE:  Add ingredients when you start adding stock.

1.  Pumpkin and green asparagus Risotto:  To the Risotto alla Milanese recipe, add 1/2 cup of diced pumpkin and 1/2 cup of fresh green asparagus cut in 2 inch pieces.  If you wish you can substitute chicken stock for vegetable stock.

2.  Mushroom Risotto:  Add 1/2 cup of porcini mushrooms (soak for an hour in water to reconstitute; discard water)  or other fresh mushrooms.  Substitute chicken stock with beef stock.

3.  Lobster Risotto:  Add 1 cup of fresh lobster tail cut into 2 inch pieces. Substitute chicken stock for seafood or vegetable stock.

Tip:  If cooking for guests, cut and measure ingredients ahead of time and leave them ready in prep bowls ready for cooking time.