Asparagus and Saffron Risotto
By Donna Currie
I like to think of risotto as a contemplative dish. You don’t have to think too hard about what you’re doing, none of the steps are difficult or technical, but you have to stay close by, stirring gently. It gives you time to think. And when it’s done, you have a dish that has an air of sophistication. Perfect for a dinner party, but easy enough for a family dinner.
- Course: Dinner
INGREDIENTS
- Asparagus
- chicken stock or broth
- Grana Padano cheese
- onion
- risotto rice
- Salt
- unsalted butter
- very small pinch of saffron
- white wine
DIRECTIONS
- Have the stock standing by in a saucepan, gently simmering.
- Melt the butter in a 3-quart sauté pan. Add the onions and cook on medium for a minute or two, until they begin to become translucent. Add the rice and saffron – a tiny pinch – and cook, stirring for another minute or two.
- Add the wine and stir until the wine is nearly gone. Add a ladle full of stock – about a cup. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid is nearly gone.
- Continue adding stock, one ladle at a time, stirring gently but often, each time waiting until the liquid is nearly gone before adding more, until the rice is cooked but a little al dente, and a creamy sauce has developed. This will take about 30 minutes. Exactly how much stock you’ll need and precisely how much time it will take depends on your rice, among other things. You probably won’t need the whole 8 cups, but if something goes awry and you need more, you can use hot water.
- Taste for seasoning just before the rice is done and add salt, if necessary. If your stock was salted, you may not need more.
- Add the asparagus and cheese (save some cheese for garnish, if you like) and stir.
- Serve hot.
