One of the most popular recipes to come out of Northern Italy, risotto is a rice-based dish cooked in broth and prepared with different ingredients to create a delicious and creamy meal. While there are many different risotto recipes to choose from, there are a number of special ingredients that will make the recipe you choose the perfect authentic risotto dish every time.

Choosing the Rice: The secret to creating a great risotto is selecting the correct rice for your recipe. Rice that is fine and large is the best kind to use for risotto as it is better at absorbing and holding in flavour during cooking. Risotto recipes such as our bacon & mushroom risotto recipe includes Arborio rice, but other good choices include Carnaroli, Roma, Vialone Nano and Baldo.

Preparing the Rice: While you can cook your rice as is, creating an authentic risotto requires a bit more care and preparation. Cooking the rice in oil or butter will allow it to absorb the fat and form a hard layer. This will help protect the rice during cooking and allow for the release of starch that gives risotto its creamy texture. Stir the rice as it cooks, adding some white wine for extra flavour as you go.

Cook the Broth: The next step is to cook the risotto in a broth based on your chosen ingredients. Whether you are cooking meat or vegetable-based broth, you will need to boil the rice while submerged in the broth for between 20 to 30 minutes. Add the rest of your ingredients and cook the risotto according to your preferred recipe. For a good example of this, give our bacon & chilli risotto recipe a try.

Italian risotto is a creamy, rice-based dish that goes well with a range of ingredients. Whether you are eating your risotto as a side meal or as a main, there are plenty of dishes that are a perfect complement to a risotto. Here are some great ideas to include with your next risotto recipe.

Meal Options: If you are planning on having a risotto as your main, there are plenty of great meal options you can pair it with. Consider the risotto recipe you are making and add something that complements it. Steak or lamb are great choices for a variety of risottos, especially when pan-fried in garlic butter. Chicken is a versatile meat that works well with risotto, either roasted, grilled or breaded. For prawn risotto, consider pairing it with seared scallops or baked salmon. Finally, if you prefer a meat-free meal, try roasted vegetables such as potatoes, pumpkin and cauliflower for the perfect vegetable risotto meal.

Side Dishes: Consider what side dishes you fancy pairing with your risotto recipe. A simple but appetising option is a bread-based dish such as garlic bread or bruschetta. Not only are these delicious when paired with any Italian meal, but they can also soak up any leftover sauces and juices from your risotto. Salads and vegetables are another great choice. For vegetables, consider sauteed mushrooms or garlic-roasted asparagus to bring out that extra flavour. For salads, perhaps add a bit of zest with some balsamic dressing or olive oil, as well as additions such as croutons, shredded parmesan and antipasto ingredients like salami and olives for that true Mediterranean taste.