Il Cucinologo
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Sausage and Spinach Risotto

17/11/2023

Here is a classic Italian recipe for sausage and spinach risotto. This dish combines the creaminess of risotto with the savory taste of sausage and the freshness of spinach.

Ingredients

  • 320 g Arborio or Carnaroli rice
  • 200 g fresh sausage
  • 200 g fresh or frozen spinach
  • 1 shallot or small onion
  • Meat or vegetable broth, as needed
  • 1/2 glass of dry white wine
  • 50 g butter
  • 40 g grated Parmesan
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation

  1. Start by cleaning and finely chopping the shallot. In a large pan or casserole, sauté it with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil until it becomes translucent.
  2. Remove the skin from the sausage and crumble it. Add the sausage to the sauté and let it brown until it becomes lightly golden.
  3. Add the rice and toast it for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly.
  4. Deglaze the rice with the white wine and let the alcohol evaporate over medium-high heat.
  5. Start adding the hot broth one ladle at a time, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid before adding the next ladle.
  6. Meanwhile, if using fresh spinach, wash them and sauté in a pan with a drizzle of oil and a pinch of salt until wilted. If using frozen spinach, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes, then squeeze and sauté in the pan.
  7. Halfway through cooking the rice (after about 10 minutes), add the spinach.
  8. Continue adding broth and stirring until the rice reaches the desired consistency, stirring in a piece of butter from time to time to add creaminess.
  9. Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan, the remaining piece of butter, and a grind of pepper.
  10. Taste and adjust salt if necessary, then let the risotto rest for a minute before serving.

Trivia

Risotto is an iconic dish of Italian cuisine, originating from Lombardy. The key to a perfect risotto is slow cooking and the gradual addition of broth, which promotes the release of starch from the rice, making it naturally creamy. Sausage and spinach are just one of the many variations of this versatile dish.