THE BASIC RISOTTO RECIPE FOR YOU TO COPY
RISOTTO FAQ: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE RICE DISH
Choosing the right rice is crucial for a perfect risotto. The most popular and most commonly used risotto rice is Arborio. This Italian rice variety has a high starch content and provides the typical creamy consistency of the dish. Alternatively, Carnaroli or Vialone Nano can also be used. Rice pudding, on the other hand, is less suitable as it takes longer to cook and has a different starchy consistency.
A standard portion of risotto per person is around 70 to 100 grams of dry rice. However, it can vary depending on individual appetite. As a rule of thumb, you can calculate about 1.5 cups of cooked rice per person.
To give the risotto its characteristic flavour, we recommend using broth or stock. Depending on your preferences and the dish, you can prepare the stock yourself or buy a ready-made version.
It is important to keep the stock warm while you cook the risotto. The stock should not boil, but should always be hot so that the rice cooks evenly and the cooking time is reduced.
We recommend our high-quality cast iron cookware, such as the STAUB Cocotte, for preparing risotto. Stainless steel cookware is also well suited to distribute the heat evenly and prevent burning.
Risotto with red wine or white wine? Both are possible. White wine risotto is the most common choice, as this wine gives the dish a fine acidity and lots of great flavours. A dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay is a good choice. Red wine can also be used to create a stronger and more intense risotto.
To cook a delicious red wine risotto, you can simply replace the white wine with red wine. The red wine gives the risotto a rich colour and a more intense flavour that goes well with stronger meat or mushroom dishes.
Yes, you can make risotto without wine. Instead of wine, simply use more stock to cook the rice. However, wine gives the risotto a special flavour, which is why it is often recommended.
Risotto is usually gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free risotto rice and gluten-free stock or broth in the preparation.
It is not necessary to wash risotto rice before cooking, as the starch grains it contains are important for making the risotto creamy. Washing would remove this starch and affect the desired consistency.
Fresh salads, roasted vegetables, fish or meat go well with risotto to add extra textures and flavours to the dish.
Risotto combines wonderfully with several types of meat. Chicken, duck, bacon, prawns or even beef are popular options for adding extra flavour to the dish.
Some delicious topping ideas for risotto include fresh parmesan, toasted pine nuts, chopped fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil to round off the dish.
To keep risotto warm, you can place it in a preheated oven at a low temperature or put it in a pan with a lid and place it on the hob when it is switched off.
Yes, risotto can be reheated without any problems. It can simply be reheated in the microwave or on the hob with a little extra stock to restore the creamy consistency.
Yes, you can freeze your risotto to enjoy later. It should be frozen in an airtight container (ideal for this: our vacuum boxes from ZWILLING FRESH & SAVE) and simply defrosted and reheated when needed to make it ready to serve again.