Risotto alla Milanese Recipe Guide
Risotto alla Milanese
Equipment
- Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Ladle
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- Ingredients
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth low sodium recommended
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine optional
- 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Method
- Step 1: Prepare the Broth
- In a saucepan, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer over medium heat. Keep it warm throughout the cooking process, as adding cold broth will slow down the cooking.
- Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Make sure not to brown the onion; you want it soft and sweet.
- Step 3: Toast the Rice
- Add the Arborio rice to the skillet and stir well to coat it with the oil and butter. Toast the rice for about 2 minutes until it becomes slightly translucent around the edges.
- Step 4: Deglaze with Wine (Optional)
- If using, pour in the white wine and stir until it is mostly absorbed by the rice. This adds a lovely depth of flavor.
- Step 5: Add the Broth Gradually
- Start adding the warm broth, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly. Wait until the liquid is almost fully absorbed before adding more broth. This process should take about 18-20 minutes.
- Step 6: Incorporate the Saffron
- After about 10 minutes of cooking, add the saffron threads to the broth or directly to the risotto. This will give the dish its characteristic yellow color and unique flavor.
- Step 7: Finish with Cheese and Butter
- Once the rice is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite), remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and the grated Parmesan cheese until creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 8: Let it Stand
- Allow the risotto to stand for about 5 minutes before serving. This will help it thicken slightly.
- Step 9: Serve and Garnish
- Spoon the risotto onto plates and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy your delicious Risotto alla Milanese!
- Variations
- Mushroom Risotto: Add sautéed mushrooms when you add the broth for a rich, earthy flavor.
- Vegetable Risotto: Stir in seasonal vegetables like peas, asparagus, or zucchini towards the end of the cooking process.
- Seafood Risotto: Incorporate shrimp or scallops for a delightful seafood twist.
Risotto alla Milanese is a classic Italian dish known for its creamy texture and vibrant yellow color, thanks to the addition of saffron. Originating from Milan, this luxurious risotto is a true comfort food that can elevate any meal. The secret to a perfect risotto lies in the technique, which may seem daunting at first, but with a little practice, you can master it. From my own personal experience, the key is patience and constant stirring, which helps release the starches from the rice, creating that signature creaminess.
Let me show you how I make this delicious Risotto alla Milanese.
Notes on What to Expect
When making Risotto alla Milanese, you should expect a rich, creamy dish that is deeply flavorful. The saffron adds a unique taste and beautiful color that will impress your guests. The texture should be creamy and slightly al dente, providing a wonderful mouthfeel.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Time to Stand: 5 minutes
- Ease of Cooking: Moderate
- Servings: 4
- Calories: Approximately 350 per serving
- Cost of Ingredients: $10 – $15 (varies by location)
- Cuisine: Italian
- Course: Main or Side Dish
Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or saucepan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Ladle
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory #Risotto alla Milanese now.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low sodium recommended)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory #Risotto alla Milanese now.
Method
Step 1: Prepare the Broth
- In a saucepan, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer over medium heat. Keep it warm throughout the cooking process, as adding cold broth will slow down the cooking.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Make sure not to brown the onion; you want it soft and sweet.
Step 3: Toast the Rice
- Add the Arborio rice to the skillet and stir well to coat it with the oil and butter. Toast the rice for about 2 minutes until it becomes slightly translucent around the edges.
Step 4: Deglaze with Wine (Optional)
- If using, pour in the white wine and stir until it is mostly absorbed by the rice. This adds a lovely depth of flavor.
Step 5: Add the Broth Gradually
- Start adding the warm broth, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly. Wait until the liquid is almost fully absorbed before adding more broth. This process should take about 18-20 minutes.
Step 6: Incorporate the Saffron
- After about 10 minutes of cooking, add the saffron threads to the broth or directly to the risotto. This will give the dish its characteristic yellow color and unique flavor.
Step 7: Finish with Cheese and Butter
- Once the rice is al dente (tender but still firm to the bite), remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and the grated Parmesan cheese until creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 8: Let it Stand
- Allow the risotto to stand for about 5 minutes before serving. This will help it thicken slightly.
Step 9: Serve and Garnish
- Spoon the risotto onto plates and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy your delicious Risotto alla Milanese!
Variations
- Mushroom Risotto: Add sautéed mushrooms when you add the broth for a rich, earthy flavor.
- Vegetable Risotto: Stir in seasonal vegetables like peas, asparagus, or zucchini towards the end of the cooking process.
- Seafood Risotto: Incorporate shrimp or scallops for a delightful seafood twist.
Tips and Substitutions
- Broth: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Rice: Arborio rice is essential for achieving the creamy texture, but you can also use Carnaroli or Vialone Nano rice if available.
- Saffron: If saffron is unavailable, turmeric can be used for color, but the flavor will be different.
- > Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory #Risotto alla Milanese now.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Total Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 500mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 45g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 10g
I hope this guide has made making Risotto alla Milanese seem a little less daunting! Have you tried it before? Please, be honest and let me know in the comments below. I like to hear feedback from a real person like you, so please, leave your honest comment.
Hello all,
Zio Leo here!
Cooking and sharing great food brings people together in the most authentic way, in my own personal experience, and with a lifelong passion for Italian cuisine, I’m here to share tips, recipes, and stories that celebrate the rich flavors of Italy. From classic dishes to modern twists, have my guides inspired you to bring a little bit of Italy into your kitchen? Please, be honest with me here. Leave your comments down below. I’d love to hear from real people like you. Read more about me here! =>>