Make Ahead Risotto Recipes

EASY PARMESAN "RISOTTO"

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the rice and 4 cups of the chicken stock in a Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Cover and bake for 45 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente. Remove from the oven, add the remaining cup of chicken stock, the Parmesan, wine, butter, salt, and pepper, and stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and creamy. Add the peas and stir until heated through. Serve hot.

CHEF JOHN'S BAKED MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Melt butter in large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; season with salt, and cook and stir mushrooms until brown. They will begin browning after the moisture evaporates.
• Reduce heat to medium and stir in onion. Sprinkle with black pepper and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until onions are translucent and soft.
• Pour rice into skillet and stir until each rice grain is coated with butter. Season with salt.
• Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the rice mixture. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring rice until liquid is completely absorbed by the rice.
• Pour another cup chicken stock into the rice and stir until mixture comes to a simmer.
• Bake in preheated oven until grains are almost tender but still slightly firm, about 15 minutes. Transfer skillet to stovetop. Season with more salt, if necessary.
• Combine the remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth and cream; pour into the skillet. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until rice is tender, 1 or 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.
• Drizzle 2 tablespoons cream over rice. Add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and chives; stir. Serve immediately.

GOURMET MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a saucepan, warm the broth over low heat.
• Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the mushrooms, and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove mushrooms and their liquid, and set aside.
• Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to skillet, and stir in the shallots. Cook 1 minute. Add rice, stirring to coat with oil, about 2 minutes. When the rice has taken on a pale, golden color, pour in wine, stirring constantly until the wine is fully absorbed. Add 1/2 cup broth to the rice, and stir until the broth is absorbed. Continue adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring continuously, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and stir in mushrooms with their liquid, butter, chives, and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

MAKE AHEAD RISOTTO

Steps:

• With this technique, that is used by restaurant chefs, you never have to stand at the stove, stirring, for 20 minutes while your guests wonder where you have gone. You can make any kind of risotto you want using the below method. A standard recipe of 4 servings uses 5 cups liquid (wine, broth, water, etc.) to 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice. Prepare your risotto according to your recipe, but use only 3 1/4 cups liquid (reserving the remaining 1 3/4 cups for when you are ready to finish the risotto). Cook on medium-low heat for 16 minutes only according to your recipe. After 16 minutes, remove the rice from the heat. If you are going to use it within the hour, just slid it to the back of the stove, no heat, and let it sit. If you are making well in advance, place in a shallow baking pan and cover. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The rice can be prepared to this point up to 3 days in advance. WHEN READY TO SERVE: Remove chilled rice from refrigerator and bring to room temperature. Place the remaining 1 3/4 cups liquid in a wide pot or saute pan; heat to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add the partially cooked risotto. Stir with a wooden spoon until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is done cooking, approximately 4 to 5 minutes or until rice is tender but still firm (the rice is done when it is tender, but firm to the bite). Turn off the heat and immediately add the remaining butter and Parmesan cheese, stirring vigorously to combine with the rice. Add salt and pepper to taste