Risotto Milanese from Italian Traditional Food

Risotto Milanese is full of
flavour
Check out these great Italian ideas at Amazon for Italian food and kitchen ideas.
Risotto Milanese is a very delicious, aromatic, golden coloured dish and is
full of flavour. It is made using the spice saffron and arborio rice. The secret of a good risotto is to use a
thick grain rice (Italian arborio rice is best) and well-flavoured chicken or veal stock. A risotto is best cooked
on the top of the stove, with the stock added gradually as the rice thickens. It is this gradual addition as the
grain swells, together with the amount of butter used, that gives the soft creamy consistency. I can't imagine
anyone not liking Risotto Milanese!
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
8 oz arborio rice
1 marrow bone (optional)
2 oz butter
1 medium onion (finely chopped)
1 clove garlic (crushed)
1 pinch of saffron (soaked in 2 tablespoons hot water)
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 1/2 pints of chicken or veal stock
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (grated)
Method:
1. Scoop out marrow from the bone and cut in small pieces.
2. Melt a good half of the butter in a shallow pan.
3. Add the marrow, onion and garlic.
4. Fry gently for 5 minutes.
5. Add the rice and continue to fry, stirring continually until all the
grains look white about 5 minutes.
6. Add the saffron in its liquid and about a third of the stock.
7. Season and simmer, stirring occasionally until the rice
thickens.
8. Add another third of the stock.
9. Continue in this way until the grains are barely tender and the risotto creamy.
10. Draw pan aside, dot the surface with the remaining butter.
11. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
12. Cover rice and leave for 5 minutes, or until ready to serve.
13. Stir the Risotto Milanese once or twice with a fork, then turn into a hot
dish.
Tip:
1. Risotto is best made with arborio rice because it absorbs the maximum amount of liquid.
2. Sliced mushrooms (2-3 oz) are sometimes added to this risotto with the onion.
3. For special occasions, use a glass of white wine in place of the same amount of stock.
4. Do not wash rice for a risotto, pick it over carefully to remove any unhusked grains.
5. When cooked, the rice grains should be nicely firm, not mushy in any way.
Locate another Italian Traditional Food recipe here
To discover more about Italian food visit the Italian Traditional Food
webpage
|