Herb risotto
Herb risotto is a creamy Italian dish made with white rice, butter, olive oil, and fresh parsley, creating rich, comforting flavours. This easy recipe involves gradual incorporation of warm chicken gravy for a perfect texture.
Cook time 35 min
Prep time 10 min
Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
6 cups chicken gravy
2 cups white rice
1/2 cup fresh parsley
salt & pepper to taste
Herb risotto is a classic Italian dish known for its creamy texture and rich flavors. This simple herb risotto recipe combines butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, chicken gravy, white rice, and fresh parsley to create a comforting and delicious meal that can be served as a main dish or a side. Whether you're an experienced cook or a beginner, this recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to impress your guests or family.
Instructions:
- Finely chop the onion.
- Mince the garlic cloves.
- Finely chop the fresh parsley.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the chicken gravy or broth over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Reduce the heat to low to keep it warm.
- In a large heavy-bottomed pan or skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes translucent and soft.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Add the white rice to the pan with the onions and garlic, stirring well to coat each grain with the butter and oil. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the rice is lightly toasted.
- Begin adding the warm chicken gravy to the rice mixture, one ladleful (approximately 1/2 cup) at a time.
- Stir gently and continuously until most of the liquid is absorbed before adding the next ladleful. Continue this process until the rice is creamy and cooked to al dente texture. This should take about 18-20 minutes in total.
6. Season and Add Herbs:
- Once the rice is cooked to your desired consistency, stir in the finely chopped fresh parsley.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Immediately transfer the herb risotto to serving bowls or plates.
- Garnish with extra parsley if desired and serve hot.
This simple herb risotto is a delightful dish that offers a perfect blend of flavors and textures. It's creamy, fragrant, and utterly satisfying. Whether you enjoy it on its own or as an accompaniment to a main course, this risotto is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. Bon appétit!
Herb risotto FAQ:
The total cooking time for herb risotto is about 30 minutes. This includes approximately 10-12 minutes for sautéing the aromatics and 18-20 minutes for slowly adding the chicken gravy until the rice reaches a creamy consistency.
Risotto is done when the rice is creamy and cooked to an al dente texture. Taste a few grains; they should be tender with a slight bite. If the rice is still hard, continue cooking with more gravy as needed.
Yes, you can substitute chicken gravy with vegetable broth to make the risotto vegetarian. Just ensure the vegetable broth is well-seasoned to maintain flavor.
Store leftover herb risotto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water or broth to restore creaminess.
A large heavy-bottomed skillet or saucepan, around 3-4 quarts, is recommended for making risotto. This size allows for even cooking and prevents the rice from sticking.
Tips:
- Use warm chicken gravy. Keeping the chicken gravy warm while adding it to the rice ensures that the risotto cooks evenly and maintains the proper texture.
- Stir constantly. Frequent stirring helps release the starch from the rice, which gives risotto its creamy consistency.
- Don’t rush the process. Cooking risotto requires patience. Gradually adding the chicken gravy and allowing the rice to absorb it fully will result in the best texture and flavor.
- Finish with fresh herbs. Adding fresh parsley towards the end of cooking preserves its vibrant color and fresh flavor, giving the risotto a beautiful and aromatic finish.
- Customize your seasoning. Taste the risotto towards the end of cooking and adjust the salt and pepper according to your preferences.
Nutrition per serving
6 ServingsCalories 480kcal
Protein 7g
Carbohydrates 77g
Fiber 1.90g
Sugar 2.37g
Fat 20g
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