Chef's Blog

10 Recipes Every Cook Should Know: Risotto

Risotto is a dish many of us love, but few of us attempt to cook at home. It may seem intimidating at first because the method for cooking risotto requires you to constantly be watching it, stirring it and hydrating it for 20 minutes or more to prevent sticking or […]

Appetizers, Hors D’oeuvre, and Snacks

Arancini di Riso

Makes 12 servings Arancini, or plini, are made from leftover rice made the previous day, which is why we mention in the instructions that you should cook the rice a little longer than usual. That means the rice will be sticky enough to stay together and hold the filling once […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Home School: Risotto (yes, it’s easy!)

Risotto is a dish we most often eat at restaurants, reinforcing the illusion that it’s difficult to prepare. Sorry to spill the beans, restaurant chefs of the world, but despite being creamy and decadent, risotto is actually really easy to make and not nearly as time consuming as you might […]

Chef's Notes Plus

Italian Rice Varieties

All varieties of rice can be divided into short-, medium- and long-grain varieties. All Italian rice  are strains of a thick, short-grained rice called japonica (Oryza sativa japonica). They may not, to most palates, taste different, but they do behave differently when cooked. There are four grades of rice: Comune […]

One-Dish Meals

Rice and Peas

Makes 4 to 6 servings When you have an ingredient as sweet and perfect as spring peas, you don’t need much to make a great meal. And by that we mean carbs and cheese! You can serve this simple risotto alongside a green salad for a light dinner or Mother’s […]

One-Dish Meals

Risotto ai Trutti di Mare (Risotto With Seafood)

Serves 6 Ingredients 2 quarts shellfish broth 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided 3/4 cup minced yellow onion 1 lb (2 2/3 cups) Carnaroli rice 2 lb mixed seafood, such as mussels, shrimp, scallops, and squid 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional) 1 tablespoon brandy […]

Main Dishes

Risotto With Pumpkin and Parmigiano-Reggiano

Makes 4 to 6 servings Ingredients One 3-pound pumpkin (or use 1 1/2 cups of canned pumpkin) 1 quart chicken or vegetable broth 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, minced 1 1/2 cups carnaroli or vialone nano rice 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cubed 3/4 cup […]