Basic Risotto Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups arborio rice

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (kept warm)

• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, but adds great flavor!)

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh parsley or other herbs for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Warm the Broth:
   Heat your chicken or vegetable broth in a saucepan over medium heat and keep it warm. This is key to a creamy risotto—adding warm broth to the rice helps it absorb more smoothly.

2. Sauté the Aromatics:
   In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or skillet, heat the olive oil (or butter) over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until it's soft and translucent. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

3. Toast the Rice:
   Add the arborio rice to the pot and stir to coat the grains in the oil. Let the rice toast for about 2 minutes. You want it to look slightly translucent around the edges.

4. Add Wine (Optional):
   Pour in the white wine, stirring constantly. Let it simmer until most of the wine has been absorbed, about 1-2 minutes. If you’re skipping the wine, just move to the next step.

5. Start Adding Broth:
   Begin adding the warm broth one ladle at a time. Stir the rice constantly, allowing it to absorb the broth before adding more. This process takes about 20 minutes—slow and steady wins the risotto race! Keep going until the rice is tender but still has a slight bite (al dente).

6. Stir in the Parmesan:
   Once the rice is cooked to your liking, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. This adds extra creaminess and flavor. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

7. Finish and Serve:
   Remove the pot from heat and let the risotto rest for a minute. Garnish with fresh parsley or your favorite herbs, and a little extra Parmesan if you’re feeling fancy.

Pro Tips:

If you want it extra creamy, stir in a tablespoon or two of butter at the end.

Serve immediately for the best texture! Risotto tends to thicken as it sits, but if it gets too thick, just add a splash of warm broth to loosen it up.

Enjoy your creamy, dreamy risotto! It’s perfect as a main dish or as a side to your favorite protein.