Restaurant Quality Risotto

55m
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil, then reduce the heat and keep it at a low simmer.
  2. 2In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
  3. 3Add the rice to the pan and toast it for 2 to 3 minutes, coating it in the oil for a slightly nutty flavor and texture.
  4. 4Once the rice is toasted, deglaze the pan with the white wine and reduce the liquid until it's almost dry.
  5. 5On medium-low heat, ladle in about 1/2 cup of the hot stock into the rice and stir constantly until it's completely absorbed.
  6. 6Continue cooking, adding the stock ladle by ladle, ensuring to stir constantly and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next.
  7. 7While the rice is cooking, slowly grate the cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano) and set it aside for later.
  8. 8After about 18 to 25 minutes (approximately 12 ladles of stock), the rice should be al dente, and the risotto should be quite thick and creamy.
  9. 9If the rice is not yet al dente, add more stock and continue cooking as necessary.
  10. 10Once the rice is al dente and smooth, turn off the heat and gently fold in the cheeses with a grind of black pepper.
  11. 11If the risotto seems too thick, add more stock to loosen it up for a soft and creamy consistency.
  12. 12For the acidic butter: in a pan with oil, add sliced onions and sweat them until translucent and soft (approximately 30-40 minutes).
  13. 13Deglaze the pan with white wine and vinegar and infuse for about 10 to 12 minutes.
  14. 14Once the onion flavor is infused, strain the liquid through a fine sieve to get the acidulated onion stock.
  15. 15Place the liquid back on the heat and reduce it by 75% to a thick syrup.
  16. 16Let the reduction cool for a minute or two.
  17. 17Off the heat, slowly emulsify/whisk in the diced cold butter to the liquid reduction to create the acidic butter, ensuring a nice even mix.
  18. 18Finish the risotto with a nice big dollop/generous spoonful of the acidic butter, a grind of pepper, and another grating of cheese over the top.

Ingredients

  • 250 g Carnaroli Rice
  • 2 litres Chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp Acidic Butter
  • 160 g Dry White Wine
  • Parmigiano Reggiano; freshly grated
  • Pecorino Romano; grated
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • 170 g Butter
  • 30 g Onions
  • 100 g White wine
  • 60 g White wine vinegar

Equipment

medium saucepanlarge sauté panfine sieve

Tips

  • Adding stock ladle by ladle ensures maximum control and perfect cooking of the rice.
  • The acid butter technique provides a fresher onion flavor compared to prolonged cooking of onions.
  • For a wet velvety consistency, the risotto should nicely settle down to a flat layer when tapped.
  • The acidic butter is an added extra and not essential, but it can make your risotto stand out.