Delicious Homemade Italian Risotto with Lemon and Rosemary

A classic Italian dish, risotto is beloved for its creamy consistency and sumptuous flavor. This particular recipe elevates traditional risotto with the zestiness of lemon and the aromatic essence of rosemary, making it a delightful and fragrant meal perfect for any occasion. Follow the steps below to create this mouthwatering dish, and get ready to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills!

Ingredients:

– 1 cup Arborio rice
– 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
– 1 small onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/2 cup dry white wine
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 lemon (zest and juice)
– 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 tablespoon butter
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the stock
1. In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a gentle simmer and keep it warm over low heat.

Step 2: Saute the aromatics
2. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent (about 4-5 minutes).
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.

Step 3: Cook the rice
4. Add the Arborio rice to the skillet, stirring continuously to coat the rice with the oil and butter. Cook for about 2 minutes until the edges of the rice grains become translucent.
5. Pour in the white wine and stir until it is completely absorbed by the rice.

Step 4: Gradually add broth
6. Begin adding the warm broth to the rice, one ladleful at a time. Stir constantly and wait for each ladleful to be almost fully absorbed before adding the next one. This process will take around 18-20 minutes.
7. After adding about half of the broth, stir in the chopped rosemary.

Step 5: Finish the risotto
8. Once all the broth has been absorbed and the rice is tender with a slight bite to it (al dente), remove the skillet from the heat.
9. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Serve
10. Transfer the risotto to serving plates, garnish with extra rosemary if desired, and serve hot.

Enjoy the delightful combination of creamy risotto, refreshing lemon, and aromatic rosemary with every bite!