Southern Risotto Recipes

SLOW-COOKER LEMON-ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium. Add rice. Cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted, about 4 minutes. Place in a 6-quart slow cooker; stir in warmed broth, wine, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW until about half of the liquid has been absorbed, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Remove lid, and stir in asparagus. Cover and continue cooking on LOW until rice is al dente and creamy and asparagus is tender, 30 to 45 minutes more. Remove lid, and stir in Parmesan and cream until combined. Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon zest. Serve immediately.
• Note: Risotto absorbs more liquid and thickens as it cools, but it can be loosened with water, broth, or cream.

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.

THE BEST RISOTTO

Steps:

• Warm the chicken stock in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
• Heat the olive oil in another medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves and 3 tablespoons butter, stirring until the butter has melted, about 1 minute.
• Add the rice and toast, stirring only once, until it smells nutty and starts to turn light golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has evaporated completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle one cup of the warm stock into the rice and cook, stirring gently without stopping, until the rice has absorbed the liquid, 2 to 3 minutes (you will know it's time to add more stock when you move the rice aside and no liquid pools in the center).
• Repeat this process, adding more stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. (You may have a little stock left over. If so, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.) If you prefer your risotto on the saucier side, add more stock 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
• Stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few more grinds of black pepper and serve with more Parmesan, if desired.

OVEN-BAKED RISOTTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°.
• In an ovenproof saucepan or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring to coat the grains with oil, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the wine and cook until it has completely evaporated, about 1 minute. (If omitting, skip this step.).
• Stir in 1 1/2 cups water, the stock, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Cover, transfer to the oven, and bake, until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove from oven.
• Stir in 1/2 to 3/4 cup water (the consistency of the risotto should be creamy), the butter, cheese, and parsley.
• Serve immediately.

CREAMY RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion until tender, about 5 minutes. Add rice; cook, stirring until well coated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring until absorbed, about 1 minute. Season with salt. Gently heat broth; keep warm.
• Add about 1 cup of warm broth. Cook, stirring frequently, until absorbed. Continue adding broth, 1 cup at a time, stirring until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 25 minutes total. The rice should be tender (but not mushy) and suspended in liquid with the consistency of heavy cream.
• Remove pan from heat. Stir in Parmesan and butter; season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately (risotto will continue to thicken as it sits). Garnish with thyme leaves, if desired.

VERY EASY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook green onions in butter briefly, then add the rice. Cook and stir for a few minutes to toast rice. Stir in water, and season with chicken bouillon and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.