I know, you probably think that risotto is hard or that it takes a long time. Neither is true. Risotto is just rice that you need to stir while you are doing other things. As long as you have good rice …bingo… easy perfect weeknight dinner
I’ve talked about rice for risotto before but, I’m going to take a minute to run through that again because it is not just about buying expensive rice, it’s about why. The rice you use to cook risotto is Arborio rice. That’s its type like Jasmine or Basmati or medium grained Calrose. Within those families are different grades and types.  Arborio is a name for the general family of rice that is prized for it’s starchiness and there are different types within it’s family. The different Arborio’s are used for different dishes. There are a couple of grades of Arborio that are protected, and can only be grown in Italy the two main ones are called Carnaroli and Vialone Nano. Plain old Arborio rice is not necessarily for risotto. This rice is far more starchy than Carnaroli or Vialone Nano, it’s shorter grain has less structure and absorbs liquid much quicker than the Italian grown varieties. It goes mushy and starchy and is great for puddings and Arancini ( rice ) balls but makes for a very dense and hard to cook Risotto. This might be the reason you feel Risotto is hard to cook or never turns out well for you. Read more about rice here
So buy a bag of Carnaroli Rice. It will cost you anywhere from $10 a kilo upwards. It can be found in Sydney at good food stores like Lario Food and Wine Co, Simon Johnson, The Cook and the Chef, Essential Ingredient, Fourth Village and various other similar stores. Have a look for a good food purveyor in your city. A bag will go a long way. A cup of rice will make enough for 3-4 people depending on what you eat with it.
This risotto took about 20 minutes to make and while I made it I prepared the sausages and a salad. Â I love having it through the week because you can serve anything you like with it, leftover meats and vegetables or you can eat it as a side with grilled meat or seafood. You don’t need to mount it with heaps of butter or cheese. We just add a small amount of both, but please if you want to add more then you should. We also love it reheated and sometimes fried in a little olive oil, the cheese in it tastes like heaven when heated this way.
Sausage and Tomato Risotto
Ingredients
- 200 gm carnaroli rice 1 Aust cup
- 1 litre chicken stock and about 500 ml/ extra - just in case
- 150 gm onion diced, 1 small onion
- 1 stick celery finely diced
- 60 gm tomato paste 3 tablespoons
- 350 gm sausages I used Italian style pork sausages
- 20 ml oil extra, 1 tablespoon
- 100 gm peas 1/2 cup
- 150 gm parmesan cheese grated, 3/4 cup
- 1/2 bunch Chives chopped
Instructions
- Put a pot on the stove to heat the stock (or you could heat it in a jug in the microwave), I use this opportunity to cook my peas. Then I dig them out with a slotted spoon and set aside. Put the lid on the stock to keep warm
- Put a high sided heavy pot onto the stove on medium. Add the olive oil and the onion and celery and soften for 2 minutes. Add the rice and toss in the oil till warm. Begin to add the stock 1 cup at a time. Turn the stove down a little so that the liquid doesn't evaporate too quickly. Stir occasionally.
- Put a non stick fry pan on to cook the sausages. Add the extra oil and let them cook on medium till done.
- Meanwhile add the stock slowly, cup by cup. You can add the tomato paste after the second or third cup. (Don't let the rice dry up and fry)
- By the time all of the 1 litre of a stock ( approx 4 cups) is added the rice should be cooked through with just a small amount of firmness in the grain. All rice is very different so add a little more stock if you want your rice more cooked.
- Add 1/2 of the cheese and the butter ( if using) stir through and put on the lid and sit for several minutes while you cut the sausages into quarters .
- Serve the risotto with sausages some snipped chives a few peas and extra cheese,
I’ve never thought of putting sausage with risotto, but this look yummy! Liz x
Elizabeth Connolly recently posted..Hot Cross Buns
Risotto is so lovely and versatile. This one looks so delicious and filling!
Mary Frances recently posted..MARY’s secret ingredients crowdfunding – help bring home the bacon!
This sounds like a lovely dish for a rainy night. 🙂 I was able to visit a risotto rice farm in Italy a few years back, and was fascinated to see it growing and then eat it later. 🙂
Krista recently posted..Old Nonsense
I never have the patience for risotto and have recently crossed to the dark side and bought a Thermomix….will give this one a whirl in there as it looks so tasty!
Martine @ Chompchomp recently posted..My Top Ten Highlights from the Coles Gluten Free & Healthy Living Expo 2015
I adore risotto in many forms… this one looks and sounds great. So bummed I can’t eat tomatoes now!
The right rice is just sooooo important for a decent dish Tania, great explanation thanks. So delicious! Xo
InTolerant Chef recently posted..Korean Seafood Pancake- Haemul Pajeon
We certainly are coming into comfort food season. I do love risotto and I can buy that rice at the Fourth Village. Great looking risotto, Tania and I don’t mind stirring risotto – as long as I have a glass of wine in hand xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..Fig, Prosciutto and Bocconcini Salad
I’d love this! I hate gluggy risotto and I had some last week. I could have made a snowball out of it with no trouble at all. I think if you have to eat risotto with a knife and fork, they’ve done it wrong. AND to have paid for it really hacked me off. 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted..Japanese Chicken Curry
Pleased to say I’m not one that thinks risotto is difficult of arduous. It’s quite simple, really, and lends easily to many variations. Love your version!
john | heneedsfood recently posted..The Bach Eatery
That looks delicious Tania. I’m a big fan of risotto in the colder weather too and this looks like a winner for these coming few months 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Subcontinental, Surry Hills
Finding the right rice for risotto is half the battle! Yours looks so creamy and delicious!
Joanne recently posted..Everything-But-The-Kitchen-Sink Frittata