A perfect plate of risotto should flow like lava if you tilt the plate. Spoon it onto a hot dish (and you must use a hot dish), and it should slowly spread out until it forms a perfectly level disk. But there are a lot of myths out there about how to make a perfect risotto. This recipes dispenses with the myths to give you risotto that's perfectly creamy and nutty, using just one pan.
1 quart (950ml) low-sodium homemade or store-bought chicken stock
1 cup (240ml) white wine (optional; can be replaced with additional broth)
2 tablespoons (30g) butter, plus more for finishing, if desired
2 tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 medium cloves garlic, grated on a Microplane(about 2 teaspoons)
2 small shallots, finely minced (about 2 tablespoons)
3/4 cup (180ml) heavy cream, whipped to stiff peaks
3 ounces (85g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Chopped herbs or other garnishes, as desired
Directions
1.
Combine rice, chicken stock, and wine in a large bowl. Agitate rice with fingers or a whisk to release starch. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer set in a 2-quart liquid cup measure or another large bowl. Allow to drain 5 minutes, stirring rice occasionally.
2.
Heat butter and oil in a heavy 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until foaming subsides. Add rice and cook, stirring and tossing frequently, until all liquid has evaporated, fat is bubbling, and rice has begun to take on a golden blond color and nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and shallots and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until aromatic, about 1 minute. Give reserved broth a good stir and pour all but 1 cup over rice. Increase heat to high and heat until simmering. Stir rice once, cover, and reduce heat to lowest possible setting.
3.
Cook rice for 10 minutes, undisturbed. Stir once, shake pan gently to redistribute rice, cover, and continue cooking until liquid is mostly absorbed and rice is tender with just a faint bite, about 10 minutes longer.
4.
Remove lid and add final cup of stock. Increase heat to high and cook, stirring and shaking rice constantly, until risotto is thick and creamy. Off heat, fold in heavy cream and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in herbs as desired. Serve immediately on hot plates.
Special Equipment
Microplane grater, fine-mesh strainer, heavy 12-inch skillet
Notes
I prefer using carnaroli rice for its slightly longer grains and firmer texture. Feel free to use any risotto-style rice, like arborio or vialone nano.
No comments:
Post a Comment