How to prepare Parmesan risotto: recipe and secrets

Parmigiano Reggiano risotto is a classic of Italian cuisine, a kind of basic recipe that can be enriched with many ingredients - from mushrooms to truffles, to vegetables - but which, even in its essentiality, constitutes an elegant and tasty first course.

The secret to a perfect creamy Parmesan risotto?

The success of this dish primarily depends on the selection of ingredients: you should opt for an excellent rice suitable for risotto, such as a good Carnaroli, then a Parmigiano Reggiano with the right aging, capable of giving intensity to the dish without becoming overpowering (in our opinion, Parmigiano aged between 24 and 30 months), and finally, excellent butter.

But the creaminess of Parmigiano risotto does not depend so much on the ingredients as it does on skill, on the attention paid during the cooking and "mantecatura" (creaming) phases of the rice. Let's find out how to prepare Parmigiano risotto.

Recipe: how to prepare Parmesan risotto

Ingredients:

• 320 g Carnaroli rice
• 100 g grated San Simone Parmigiano Reggiano
• 60 g San Simone butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 l vegetable broth
• 2 shallots

Preparation:

1. Peel and finely chop the shallots.
2. Put them in a saucepan with half of the butter and the extra virgin olive oil, and let them soften over low heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon.
3. Pour the rice into the sautéed shallots and toast it over high heat for 2 or 3 minutes. This is a crucial step, as it ensures uniform cooking of the risotto.
4. At this point, moisten the rice with a ladle of hot vegetable (or chicken) broth, continuing to stir.
5. Season with salt and continue cooking the Parmesan risotto for about 15-18 minutes, adding a ladle of hot broth each time the previous one has been absorbed.
6. Stir occasionally without ever leaving the rice unattended. Then turn off the heat, making sure the rice is not too dry.
7. Cream the risotto with the remaining butter and the grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Let the preparation rest for a minute, then serve your perfect Parmesan risotto.

Enjoy your meal!