Il Cucinologo
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Risotto alla Marinara

17/11/2023

Here is the recipe for a delicious marinara risotto that combines the flavors of the sea with the tradition of Italian risotto.

Ingredients

  • 320 grams of risotto rice (such as Arborio or Carnaroli)
  • 500 grams of mixed seafood (mussels, clams, squid, shrimp)
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 1 small finely chopped onion
  • Chopped parsley to taste
  • 1 glass of dry white wine
  • 1 liter of fish stock
  • 100 grams of peeled tomatoes (optional)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful of grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Butter (optional)

Preparation

  1. In a large pan, sauté the chopped onion in a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil until it becomes translucent.
  2. Add the rice and toast it for a couple of minutes until it becomes shiny. Deglaze with the white wine and let it evaporate.
  3. Add the crushed peeled tomatoes if you decide to use them, letting the rice absorb them.
  4. Start adding the fish stock little by little, waiting for the rice to absorb the liquid before adding more. During this phase, stir frequently to prevent the rice from sticking.
  5. In another pan, lightly sauté a clove of garlic in oil, then add the seafood and sauté for a few minutes. If you are also using mussels and clams, cook them until they open.
  6. Halfway through cooking the rice, add the seafood to the rice and continue cooking.
  7. When the rice is al dente and has absorbed most of the stock, remove from heat.
  8. If desired, add a knob of butter and grated Parmesan to stir into the risotto and make it even creamier.
  9. Adjust salt and pepper, and finally sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

Trivia

The term “alla marinara” refers to the typical preparation of seafood dishes, characterized by the use of seafood and fish. In marinara risotto, the encounter with rice creates a dish in which the marine flavors are well balanced by the creamy risotto, typical of Italian cuisine. This dish recalls the traditions of Italian coastal towns, where the fresh catch of the sea meets the land through rice grown in the plains.

Risotto alla marinara