Babs’ Creamy White Wine Risotto

Babs’ Creamy White Wine Risotto

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    Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

    • 6 cups warm chicken or vegetable broth

    • 4 tablespoons butter, divided (plus more if desired)

    • 1 small onion, finely diced

    • 1½ cups Middlins

    • ½ cup dry white wine

    • ½ cup heavy cream

    • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

    Optional Add-Ins – Shrimp and Asparagus

    • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

    • 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces

    Optional Add-Ins – Mushroom and Sausage

    • 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

    • 12 ounces good Italian sausage, browned and crumbled

    Instructions

    1. Warm the broth and keep it hot over low heat.

    2. In a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft and translucent.

    3. Stir in the Middlins and cook for 2–3 minutes until the grains look slightly chalky around the edges.

    4. Pour in the white wine and stir until it is mostly absorbed.

    5. Add one ladleful of warm broth at a time, stirring slowly and constantly. Wait until each addition is nearly absorbed before adding the next.

    6. Continue until the rice is creamy and al dente, about 18–22 minutes.

    7. For shrimp and asparagus: add asparagus during the last 5 minutes and shrimp during the last 3–4 minutes.

    8. For mushroom and sausage: sauté mushrooms separately and stir them in with browned sausage near the end.

    9. Stir in the remaining butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.

    10. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

    Note

    • Risotto should be loose and silky, not stiff. If it thickens too much before serving, stir in a splash of warm broth.