Risotto Bravo Recipes

THE BEST RISOTTO

Steps:

• Warm the chicken stock in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
• Heat the olive oil in another medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves and 3 tablespoons butter, stirring until the butter has melted, about 1 minute.
• Add the rice and toast, stirring only once, until it smells nutty and starts to turn light golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has evaporated completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle one cup of the warm stock into the rice and cook, stirring gently without stopping, until the rice has absorbed the liquid, 2 to 3 minutes (you will know it's time to add more stock when you move the rice aside and no liquid pools in the center).
• Repeat this process, adding more stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. (You may have a little stock left over. If so, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.) If you prefer your risotto on the saucier side, add more stock 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
• Stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few more grinds of black pepper and serve with more Parmesan, if desired.

RISOTTO BRAVO!

Steps:

• Bring wine to a boil in a small saucepan; stir in dried mushrooms. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Bring chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan; cover, reduce heat to low, and keep warm.
• Saute onion in olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring constantly, until tender. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add rice; cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Add 1 cup reserved chicken broth; cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until most of the liquid is absorbed. Continue adding the chicken broth, 1 cup at a time, and cook, stirring constantly, until 4 cups of the chicken broth have been added and absorbed.
• Add reserved mushroom mixture, chicken, and tomatoes. Continue adding chicken broth, 1 cup at a time, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is creamy and the rice is tender. (The entire process should take 30 to 35 minutes). Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.