Best 2 Almost Risotto Recipes

Are you craving the creamy, flavorful goodness of risotto but don't have the time or patience for the traditional cooking method? Look no further! This article will introduce you to the concept of "almost risotto" - a simplified yet delicious take on the classic Italian dish. With a few clever shortcuts and some readily available ingredients, you can create a risotto-like dish that is both easy to make and packed with flavor. Whether you're a novice cook looking for a hassle-free alternative or an experienced chef seeking to expand your culinary repertoire, this article will guide you through the process of creating an "almost risotto" that is sure to impress your taste buds.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

EASY "ALMOST" PARMESAN RISOTTO

Easy

This rice is like the real risotto, but takes much less time to prepare, if you prefer it more cheesy taste then add in more Parmesan cheese, I advise that you really be careful when adding the salt as the Parmesan already has a lot of salt content, but load up on freshly ground black pepper, this rice will become a favorite of yours, it is so good --- this is not a recipe for a fluffy rice, it is more on the creamy style similar to risotto, I most always add about 1 heaping tablespoon of minced fresh garlic in with the chopped onion but that is optional, really you can add in whatever you like to this, I have even added in peas :)

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories White Rice

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter (no subs please!)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic (optional)
3/4 cup short grain arborio rice
1 (14 ounce) can good quality chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
salt and pepper

Steps:

In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add in the chopped onion and fresh garlic (if using); saute for about 3-4 minutes, or until soft but not brown.
Add in the rice; cook/stir for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add in the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed, and the rice is tender.
Delicious!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 270.6, Fat 11.8, SaturatedFat 7.1, Cholesterol 30.2, Sodium 532, Carbohydrate 32.1, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.1, Protein 8.1

ALMOST HANDS-FREE RISOTTO WITH PARMESAN AND HERBS AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN

ALMOST HANDS-FREE RISOTTO WITH PARMESAN AND HERBS AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN image

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

5 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 1/2 cups water 4 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 large onion , chopped fine (about 1 1/2 cups)
table salt 1 medium garlic clove , minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 1 teaspoon)
2 cups Arborio rice 1 cup dry white wine 2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon juice from 1 lemon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives ground black pepper

Steps:

1. Bring broth and water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain gentle simmer. 2. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in large Dutch oven over medium heat. When butter has melted, add onion and ¾ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is softened but not browned, 4 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until grains are translucent around edges, about 3 minutes. 3. Add wine and cook, stirring constantly, until fully absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir 5 cups hot broth mixture into rice; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until almost all liquid has been absorbed and rice is just al dente, 16 to 19 minutes, stirring twice during cooking. 4. Add ¾ cup hot broth mixture and stir gently and constantly until risotto becomes creamy, about 3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan. Remove pot from heat, cover, and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lemon juice, parsley, and chives; season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add up to ½ cup remaining broth mixture to loosen texture of risotto. Serve immediately.

Tips:

Use the right rice: Arborio, Carnaroli, and Vialone Nano are the best varieties for risotto because they hold their shape and release starch as they cook, creating a creamy texture.
Toast the rice: Toasting the rice in butter or olive oil before adding the liquid helps to develop its flavor and prevent it from sticking together.
Use hot liquid: Adding hot liquid to the rice helps it to cook evenly and prevents it from becoming gummy.
Cook the risotto slowly: Risotto takes time to cook - about 18-20 minutes. Stir it often and add liquid gradually to allow the rice to absorb the flavors.
Add flavorful ingredients: Risotto is a versatile dish that can be flavored with a variety of ingredients, such as vegetables, meat, seafood, and cheese. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to find your favorite risotto recipe.

Conclusion:

Risotto is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. With a little practice, you can master the art of making risotto and impress your friends and family with this classic Italian dish.