Il Cucinologo
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Saffron Risotto

17/11/2023

Saffron risotto, also known as “risotto alla milanese”, is a classic dish of Italian cuisine. Here is the recipe to prepare a delicious saffron risotto.

Ingredients

  • 320 g of Arborio, Carnaroli or Vialone Nano rice (ideal for risotto)
  • 1 sachet of saffron powder or a few pistils
  • About 1 liter of vegetable or meat broth
  • 1 small white onion, finely chopped
  • 80 g of butter
  • 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 glass of dry white wine
  • Salt (if necessary, depends on the broth)
  • Black pepper (optional)

Preparation

  1. In a large pot, melt half of the butter over medium heat and add the chopped onion. Let it sauté until it becomes transparent, being careful not to burn it.
  2. Add the rice and toast it in the sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until the grains become shiny and slightly transparent.
  3. Pour the white wine into the rice and let the alcohol evaporate over high heat.
  4. Start adding the broth little by little, one ladle at a time, waiting for the rice to absorb the liquid before adding more. Keep the flame on medium-low and stir frequently.
  5. Dissolve the saffron in a bit of hot broth and add it to the rice, stirring well to distribute the color evenly.
  6. Continue cooking by adding the broth and stirring occasionally until the rice is al dente, which should take about 16-18 minutes.
  7. When the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and add the remaining butter and Parmesan. Stir vigorously to cream the risotto. Taste and, if necessary, adjust the salt.
  8. Let the risotto rest for a minute before serving.

The risotto should be all’onda, that is, creamy but not too liquid. Serve it immediately to enjoy it at its best consistency.

Curiosities

Saffron risotto is an integral part of Milanese culinary tradition and is often served as an accompaniment to ossobuco. Legend has it that this risotto was born in the 16th century thanks to a painter, who used saffron to color church stained glass windows and suggested it to color the risotto on the occasion of a wedding.

Remember that, being a traditional recipe, the quality of the ingredients is fundamental to achieve an excellent result. Enjoy your meal!