Pasta and risotto are the two first courses par excellence of Italian cuisine, both very versatile with many different ingredients. The main difference is that the second is a less popular dish, certainly more widespread in the culinary tradition of northern Italy and it’s a little more difficult to cook – because of its various stages of cooking that require attention and patience. That’s why we want to review the fundamental steps for a risotto with you, so you can make it the right way as we do in the Bel Paese.
Which rice works best for risotto?
Let's start with the selection of rice. There are many varieties and some are more suitable than others for preparing risotto. Depending on the shape of the grain and the way it is cooked, the rice is divided into common, semi-fine, fine and superfine. The last two sets are characterized by larger and tapered grains (and a better hold in cooking) because they cook more slowly and remain more al dente, so they are ideal for cooking risotto. Arborio and Carnaroli rice are considered the best varieties. Then there’s also Vialone Nano, a good alternative to Carnaroli. And Volano, Roma, Baldo, Sant'Andrea…
How to toast the rice for risotto
The first fundamental step in making risotto is toasting the rice, which serves to make the grain more compact to prevent it from breaking as it cooks. Heat a large saucepan and pour in all the rice. Continue stirring the rice with a wooden spoon and toast it for a few minutes. You’ll know it’s ready by touching it with your fingers and smelling it; the rice must be very hot and give off the scent of the grain. You can also toast the risotto with another fat like a sautéed onion (or shallot) and butter (or oil). Once toasted, add a glass of wine and let it evaporate for extra flavor.
How to make risotto: cooking and ‘mantecatura’
After toasting it, cover the rice completely with simmering, hot broth – vegetable or meat broth, depending on the risotto you wish to prepare. Cook over medium heat. Keep the rice consistently covered with hot broth to ensure even cooking. Add a ladle at a time continuously to keep it moist as the rice absorbs the broth.
Cooking times vary according to the type of rice, but generally, it will take at least 15-18 minutes. Once ready, the rice should be removed from the heat and stirred with a knob of cold butter and parmesan cheese. This is considered the ‘mantecatura’ phase, an Italian word referring to the process of ‘creaming’ butter and cheese with the risotto in this case.
How to prepare risotto ahead of time
Generally, risotto isn’t prepared ahead of time – because the best risotto is served fresh – but if you want to make it in advance, proceed as explained above, but stop cooking a few minutes before (when the grain is chewy but still crunchy in the middle). Spread the rice in a container with an airtight seal to let it cool and transfer covered to the fridge. When it’s time to serve the risotto, put it back in the saucepan, add the stock, and turn heat over medium heat. Add any other ingredients and stir continuously. Just a few minutes and the rice will be ready. Stir and serve.
4 classic risotto recipes
Risotto alla milanese
The Italian risotto par excellence is risotto alla milanese. To prepare it, finely chop the onion and sauté in a pan over medium heat with butter. Add ossobuco (ox bone marrow) if you’d like. Toast the rice on high heat for one minute, stirring continuously. Add white wine and let it evaporate. Pour in the hot broth a little at a time, stirring occasionally. Cook the rice for about 16-20 minutes, according to the chosen rice, adding two sachets of saffron halfway through cooking. Salt if necessary. Remove the pan from the heat, add cold butter and grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the risotto is soft and creamy. Let rest for a minute with the lid on and serve.
Sausage risotto
One of the most delicious risotto recipes is sausage risotto. Make it sautéing a knob of butter with chopped shallot. Add the sausage in pieces (casings removed), and brown, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the rice and toast it for a few minutes. Add red wine. Cook the rice, adding hot broth as it is absorbed. Once cooked, remove from heat and stir in more butter and parmesan cheese.
Risotto alla monzese
Risotto alla monzese is made like sausage risotto, but with this recipe, we use luganega sausage, a typical sausage from Monza and Brianza. It’s a fresh sausage that looks like a long and narrow roll. It is light in color and its taste is sweet; it’s made with pork, Grana Padano cheese, marsala, meat broth, and spices.
Risotto alla parmigiana
Another very tasty, yet simple risotto that everyone loves is risotto alla parmigiana. To make it, prepare a sauté with a little oil and chopped onion. Add the rice, brown it over high heat, and add some red wine. Continue cooking, stirring often and adding some hot broth, little by little. After about 12 minutes, when the risotto is still al dente, add some diced scamorza cheese and let it melt. Turn off heat, add salt and stir-fry with a knob of butter, minced pepper and plenty of grated parmesan cheese. Let the risotto rest for a couple of minutes and serve.