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Saffron risotto

This delicately flavored and brightly colored rice dish is easy to make and great as a side to so many mains.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 approx,
Calories: 495 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 onion (medium)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups arborio rice (or carnaroli, if you can get it, even better)
  • ½ cup white wine dry (see notes below)
  • 3 cups light stock (see notes below) - suggest homemade chicken or vegetable, if possible
  • 2 pinches saffron or a scant ⅛tsp saffron powder
  • ½ cup grated parmesan medium-well packed - can use a little more
  • 2 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Warm the oil and butter in a medium pan over a medium heat then add the onion. Cook for around 5 minutes until the onion softens, but make sure it doesn't brown (reduce heat or add a little more butter, if needed).
  2. Add the rice and cook for a minute or two so that it becomes glossy from the oil/butter. Add the wine and let it bubble away until it is largely absorbed.
  3. Then add just enough stock to cover the rice. Keep adding a little more stock (around ½ to 1 cup at a time) as the previous amount is absorbed, stirring now and then so that it doesn't stick. Typically, it doesn't need stirred much to start with but more towards the end. Add the saffron with the last of the stock - if you are using powder, you can just sprinkle it in the pan as you add the stock, if using stamens, add some to a little warm stock or warm water and let it sit for around 5 minutes before using so that it 'blooms', releasing the color.
  4. Once the rice is cooked to just al dente and the stock has been absorbed, remove form the heat. Stir through the parmesan, and butter so that both are well distributed and melt into the risotto. Adjust seasoning to taste, if needed and serve.

Notes

  • Note to make this a traditional risotto alla Milanese do not use white wine and use beef stock instead of light stock. Also, add 1 ½oz/40g beef bone marrow after the onion has softened. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 495kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 66g (22%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Cholesterol 34mg (11%) Sodium 250mg (10%) Potassium 286mg (8%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 374IU (7%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 155mg (16%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4approx,

Amount Per Serving

Calories 495

% Daily Value*

Calories 495kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 66g 22%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 250mg 10%
Potassium 286mg 6%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 374IU 7%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 155mg 16%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.