Risotto Rosso
A little butter, some parmesan and a sprinkling of parsley, and we're finished!
Amanda inspects the parsley carefully. It passes muster.
On to mushrooms. We used a combination of baby bellas and shiitakes.
Pancetta, olive oil and butter. Need we say more?
In go the mushrooms, to brown and crisp along with the pancetta.
At this stage, you remove the mushrooms and pancetta with a slotted spoon -- setting them aside for later.
In goes a bit more olive oil and some shallots.
Abra Bennett calls for carnaroli rice, which we immediately fell in love with. Toast it for a few minutes before adding liquid.
Next, you add some red wine, which turns the rice a lovely shade of pink.
To cook the rice, you gradually add a mixture of beef and chicken stock.
The mushrooms and pancetta go back in just before the rice is cooked, so that the rice takes on some of their hearty, earthy flavor.
Share
- ✉
-
Author 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 with any fruity red wine and still soar like a hawk when you serve it. - Abra Bennett - Abra Bennett
Food52 Review: 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 and mushrooms, add shallots and carnaroli rice -- which you then render creamy with both red wine and beef broth -- and finish the risotto with a shower of parmesan and some butter. It's rich without being overpowering, and we love how the carnaroli rice keeps its structure without being crunchy; the resulting dish is creamy, not gluey. - A&M - A&M
Serves 4
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided use
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided use
- 4 ounces diced mushroom caps, shiitake or cremini
- 2 ounces diced pancetta
- 1/4 cup diced shallots
- 1 cup carnaroli rice, or use vialone nano or arborio
- 1/2 cup fruity red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 ounce Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Your Best Risotto (Savory) Contest Winner!
- This recipe is a Wildcard Contest Winner!
More Great Recipes
Share a Recipe
Enter one of our contests, or share that great thing you made for dinner last night.
Add a Recipe
2 days ago kimberly.godwin
I made this last night for dinner. I am NOT a fan of mushrooms, but decided to use them anyway. I diced them up very fine. I loved the flavor of this dish. I used a vegan chicken and beef broth and thought it was delicious. It took awhile to make, standing and constantly stirring and adding broth, but well worth the effort. I had some left overs for lunch today and would almost say it was better today. Will make this again. Maybe next time put in a tad bit more pancetta.
2 months ago gustus
Rich, yes, creamy, yes, but...I found the pancetta and mushroom flavors too muted. I think using bigger chunks of mushroom that "diced" and perhaps smoky/farmhouse bacon (as some other commenters used) would amp up the flavor.
5 months ago The Fiery Epicurean
I was looking for a new risotto recipe that wasn't too challenging, expensive or time consuming for my upcoming cooking class and decided to make it for New Years Eve. Oh my heavens, this is beyond fantastic. I don't think I've ever had a risotto so delicious. Used hickory smoked bacon from a local butcher shop because who wants to fight the crowds the day before a Holiday, certainly not me! Other than that, followed the recipe to a "T" and it turned out beautifully. Can't wait to share this with my students!
over 1 year ago Woodside
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!
about 2 years ago goldenblind221
This... this is heaven. Amazing. Thank you.
over 2 years ago DeArmasA
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!
almost 3 years ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
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)
about 3 years ago PaulaK
This looks like a really good recipe. I plan to try it.
about 3 years ago healthierkitchen
Will definitely be trying this!
about 3 years ago TheWimpyVegetarian
This looks wonderful! Congrats on your wildcard win!!
about 3 years ago gluttonforlife
Ah, a winner after all. This was already on my list to try. Congrats!
about 3 years ago mariaraynal
So glad this was picked as a Wildcard -- great recipe and congrats!
about 3 years ago jas53
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!
about 3 years ago saenyc
Made it tonight, a big hit. Came out a little pinker than in the picture above.
about 3 years ago coffeefoodwritergirl
How yummy! I love the idea of red wine in risotto! Definitely saved...
about 3 years ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
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)
about 3 years ago testkitchenette
Beautiful recipe
about 3 years ago shayma
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
about 3 years ago Abra Bennett
Check out my Dark Mocha Lamb. That too was created to go with a wine.
about 3 years ago aargersi
Abbie is a trusted source on General Cooking.
and it is delicious - I can vouch for that!!! CONGRATS on your wildcard!!!!
about 3 years ago spinthebottleny
I love that you create recipes around wines -- please share your others!