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Risotto Rosso

Your Best Risotto (Savory) Contest Winner!

Risotto Rosso

Photo 1 of 3
by Sarah Shatz

Risotto Rosso

Photo 2 of 3
by Sarah Shatz

Risotto Rosso

Photo 3 of 3
by Abra Bennett

Slideshow
  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Risotto (Savory)
  • A&M's Testing Notes: Savory, earthy and acidic all at once, Abra Bennett's risotto is a carefully conceived juxtaposition of flavors and textures. It's also a study in umami: you start with a base of cubed pancetta...

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  • Chef

    Abra Bennett's Notes: I often create dishes to accompany specific wines, and I made this risotto in honor of Yellow Hawk's Mescolanza di Rosso, a delicious wine they're no longer making. You can make the risotto...

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Serves 4

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 T butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced pancetta until the fat begins to render. Add diced mushrooms, and saute over medium high heat until pancetta and mushrooms are golden and slightly crisp. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.

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  2. Combine beef and chicken broth in a large measuring cup or a saucepan. Heat the broth in the microwave or on the stovetop until simmering, and maintain it at a bare simmer. Add 1 T olive oil to the fat in the pan and briefly sauté the diced shallots over medium heat until softened but not brown. Add the rice and sauté, stirring frequently, until the rice is completely opaque but not golden. Add the wine and stir until the rice is pink and the wine is evaporated. Reduce heat to medium low.

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  3. Begin adding the simmering broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly. As soon as each addition of broth is absorbed into the rice, add another 1/2 cup. When you have only 1 cup of broth left, return the pancetta and mushroom mixture to the pan to let the flavors blend into the rice. When all of the broth has been absorbed, the rice should be creamy, but not mushy. You may need a little more or less broth, depending on your rice.

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  4. Add 2 T butter and stir until melted. Add Parmigiano Reggiano and stir to incorporate, then add parsley and stir briefly. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

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Reply

Made this for a friend who doesn't eat pork. I wasn't very excited about turkey bacon or some other attempt to substitute another meat for the pancetta, so I started with a dice of kalamata olives and oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (both Trader Joe's and excellent). Also added some mascarpone at the end instead of the butter. The dish was a keeper with the substitutes, so we'll make it with the pancetta as well in the future. Finding the carnaroli rice may be a bit of a challenge. A delicious meal!

Dscn1244 Reply

This... this is heaven. Amazing. Thank you.

20071208_cru_themomma_7027 Reply

I have now made this recipe three times and the last time i made it I was informed by the family that it is here forth the ONLY risotto recipe I'm allowed to serve ;-) Simply delicious, worth every minute it takes to make (37 for me), and since I always end up subbing straight from the farm bacon and it's still the best risotto in the world! Thanks for posting, I don't know what I'd do without Food52 and all you generous chefs!

New_years_kitchen_hlc_only Reply

Finally was able to make this, over the weekend, having bought the carnaroli rice, from Italy, for it about two months ago. Totally agree with A&M's comments that this is all about umami. In fact, if I wanted to let someone taste something to understand what "umami" really means, this would be it! Am thankful for the video here, as I have made few risottos, and none like this one. It turned out well. More details are on my facebook page, Antonias Cooking. I haven't been able to link to Facebook directly from this site. There is only one "Antonias Cooking" on Facebook, and I've opened my wall and photos to "everyone." As of today, however, there are no photos. But there will be. ;o)

Reply

This looks like a really good recipe. I plan to try it.

Dsc_0382 Reply

Will definitely be trying this!

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

This looks wonderful! Congrats on your wildcard win!!

Glutton1 Reply

Ah, a winner after all. This was already on my list to try. Congrats!

P1020611 Reply

So glad this was picked as a Wildcard -- great recipe and congrats!

Reply

This was REALLY delicious. So flavourful that my husband, who usually throws salt and pepper on everything, commented that it didn't need any additional seasoning whatsoever. This is a keeper. Thanks for sharing!

Landing Reply

Made it tonight, a big hit. Came out a little pinker than in the picture above.

Img_0423 Reply

How yummy! I love the idea of red wine in risotto! Definitely saved...

New_years_kitchen_hlc_only Reply

Can't wait to make this on Sunday night. I often combine chicken and beef broths. You don't see that often in recipes, but it's such a good idea!! I must say, I've never been terribly enthusiastic about risotto . . . . but that, it appears, will be changing soon. You've got my vote on this one. ;o)

Reply

Beautiful recipe

N501413281_1273671_4870 Reply

i love your recipe, congrats on being a finalist. i wouldnt dare to make this, bec i would have to omit an ingred (pancetta, i dont eat pork) and would most certainly not want to alter your lovely recipe! it looks wonderful and i love the way you have advised us to add both chicken and beef broth. best of luck, shayma

Rays-2 Reply

Check out my Dark Mocha Lamb. That too was created to go with a wine.

036 Reply

and it is delicious - I can vouch for that!!! CONGRATS on your wildcard!!!!

Profile_pic Reply

I love that you create recipes around wines -- please share your others!

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