Risotto Milanese Recipe
Friends often ask me to teach them how to make Risotto because they think it’s challenging to prepare and because of the mystique created by restaurants.
It’s never on the menu but always there as a "Special." And then we are told by the waiter to be prepared for a long evening because the "chef makes his Risotto to order," which they do.
They are always surprised that it’s not difficult to make at all. What’s remarkable about learning to make basic Risotto is the number of variations you can create afterward. This versatile and adaptable dish is a great way to clean out your refrigerator.
What’s especially interesting about this dish is its contrasting texture which is both creamy and crunchy at the same time. What creates this interesting contrasting texture? Both the Arborio (pronounced ar-boh-ree-oh) rice and the cooking technique.
Arborio rice comes from Italy. Its short, fat grains have a hard starchy center and a soft starchy shell. So it makes sense that, when cooked, the soft shell produces creaminess while the center remains crunchy.
What is the Best Arborio Rice for Risotto Milanese?
The best Arborio rice is a premium Carnaroli rice imported from Italy. It’s hard to find but worth the search.
The next most important ingredient is the stock; you won’t believe how much liquid Arborio rice can absorb. Unfortunately, the ratio of liquid to rice varies from cookbook to cookbook.
I like to use 7 cups liquid to 2 cups rice but play around with different ratios until you find the one that works for you.
You can use fish, beef, chicken, or vegetable stock, depending on the type of Risotto you're making. If possible, avoid canned broth because it’s loaded with chemicals and tons of salt.
Be sure to add the liquid a little at a time while constantly stirring to release the rice’s starch.
Risotto Milanese dates back to 1574 when a stained glass artisan named Zafferano added some saffron that he used for coloring his paints to his risotto for his daughter’s wedding. This dish was the talk of the town in no time and still is. If this is not true, it makes for a great story.
Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice. It comes from tiny purple crocus flowers that produce three stigmas per flower that are hand-picked and dried.
It takes 14,000 of these delicate stigmas to produce one ounce of saffron. Lucky for us, a little goes a long way.
Once you’ve mastered Risotto Milanese, try experimenting with mushrooms, veggies, cheese, fish, chicken, duck, or whatever else you have on hand.
📖 Recipe
Risotto Milanese
Ingredients
- 7 cups chicken stock homemade if possible
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup onions diced
- 2 cups Arborio rice
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 4 saffron threads or ⅛ teaspoon powdered
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ⅔ cups Parmesan cheese grated
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep: Little prep for this recipe. Dice your onion, grate your Parmesan cheese, and you are ready to go.
- Cook: In a large saucepan, heat the chicken stock, but don’t let it come to a boil. Just let it simmer.
- Heat the oil in a separate heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Add the onion and cook slowly until translucent.
- Stir in the rice until the rice grains are coated with the oil. This will keep them from sticking together.
- Cook for a couple of minutes until the rice gives off a nutty smell.
- Start by adding 1 cup of hot stock, stirring continuously.
- As the rice absorbs the stock, add ½ cup of stock at a time, stirring continuously until all the stock is used. (15-20 minutes)
- Remove from heat, and stir in the wine, saffron threads, butter, and Parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately.
dario rossi
I was looking at the many ways to make risotto and saw yours which is very much like my mom made it, my folks came to america from a town very close to milan, bartlameo in 1908, the only differance was that my mom used a toothpick which she dipped in the broth and then in the saffron powder and then stirred it into the rice. It takes very little to make the rice yellow. i love rissoto, dario rossi
Miriam
Hi, I was surfing the net looking for the Risotto alla Milanese recipe in English for an English speaking friend of mine, and I found you nice web site.
Just one suggestion: even though may Italians do it, according to the original recipe of Milan you mustn't cook the onion and the rice in oil but only in butter. the taste will be much better.
ciao! Miriam from Milano
The Reluctant Gourmet
Thank you Miriam for that bit of information. I will give it a try because I'm sure it will taste better with butter. Thanks.