Tomato Risotto with Saffron — Le risotto aux tomates et au safran
Arborio, Baldo, Carnaroli, Vialone, so many choices! Which one?
I am a Taurus, ascendant Libra, and I am told that as you grow older, your ascendant takes precedence over your main astrological sign. So, despite a fair amount of I-do-things-fast-with-no-patience, I am also known for not being able to make decisions very fast. Indecision, hesitation, hesitation, je vous déteste ! (I hate you) For example, for a while, if finding myself in a store in front of a skirt I liked, and the skirt came in blue, black and green, I used to hesitate for an extremely long time, leave it, come back to it, question, try the skirts on, again and again, peut-être, ah non, je ne sais plus (maybe, ah no, I no longer know). My issue is now solved. I buy the skirt in the three colors.
So, I cannot believe that I am doing this. Without hesitation, I decided to cook Italian food for an Italian friend visiting and staying with us next week. I am really entering a dangerous ground as S. is not only very taquin (cheeky), critique (critical) — not a bad thing at all actually — , but really says what he thinks, sans prendre de gants ! (without wearing gloves). In short, I will either become a Goddess in his eyes after his first bite of my food, or else, I will become the victim of Did-you-really-think-that-this-was-risotto look for ever! At least he no longer lives in Italy, so I can always hope that he will have forgotten what real Italian flavors taste like. So what I do then is fairly simple. I rehearse, trying to perfect a recipe which I love in Italian cuisine: le risotto.
Whenever I try to improve a recipe, I usually try to cook it often within a short period of time. It is easy to see why. My memory is still fresh with the details, and it is as if I am getting into the recipe I want to create more and more. Just like with anything else, the more often you do something, the better you become at it. With risotto, the task is actually not difficult since I simply love to cook and eat it. Who can really resist a plate of moist hot risotto? Even if I was mad that you, Italians, won the Soccer World Cup, I love you! Your food is amazing.
My love for risotto actually started many years ago, when my mum introduced me to riz pilaf. Fair enough, risotto is a totally different story, but the two dishes, however, share similarities. One thing leading to another, from starting with riz pilaf, I migrated to learn to cook risotto.
Riz pilaf versus Risotto
In a nutshell…
Riz pilaf = a dish from Middle Eastern origin in which the rice is first cooked in oil or butter, before being cooked in a broth, with spices, vegetables and/or meat. As suggested in the meaning of the word, each grain of rice remains separate. To achieve this result, the rice is first usually soaked or washed to remove the starch.
Risotto = an Italian dish made with special types of rice such as Arborio, Vialone, Baldo or Carnaroli. It originated in rice-growing areas of North Italy, more particularly in Eastern Piedmont and Western Lombardy. Like with a pilaf rice, the rice is first coated before being cooked in a liquid such a broth, with other ingredients. Yet the cooking method is different.
When cooking risotto, I usually buy Carnaroli rice over the other possible rice choices. I like its taste better, and quality-wise, it always gives perfect results. Probably considered as a plat du pauvre (dish for the poor) many years ago, risotto is nowadays considered a delicate dish, the pasta of people in the North of Italy. It does require special attention, as to be right, it should neither be either too moist nor too dry. And, it has a consequential shortcoming, un problème. You think you have time to run the laundry before dinner and your risotto will wait? Ah mais non, pas du tout. A risotto does not offer you this option. It simply cannot wait, just like me as a matter of fact.
The recipe for this risotto is combining the flavor of saffron with tasty cherry tomatoes. Over white wine, I actually prefer to use White Vermouth, such as Noilly Prat, which I add at the end when cooking the rice instead of at the beginning. Add to this list freshly grated parmesan and basil, a little bit of red onion and you have a lovely satisfying dish. I simply love risotto.
Despite the success of this recipe — in my eyes at least — , I can feel the hesitation seizing me once more. After all, I might not serve the risotto to S. on Wednesday, as it is just too risky! Unless I serve a lot of wine first, with l’apéritif. In fact, I would rather see that S. went back to L.A. thinking: “Yum, this risotto was good!” instead of “What a joke!” We shall see… le temps me le dira (time will tell me). Let’s just hope that on Wednesday, the planets will be in my favor and I will simply be under a good star. Une bonne étoîle !
You need:
- 1 1/2 cups Carnaroli (or any other risotto rice such as Arborio) rice
- 14.5 oz cherry tomatoes (skinned and seeded, then diced)
- 4 cups (1 quart) chicken broth
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp saffron (0.008 oz), soaked in some warm broth
- 9 Tbsp White Vermouth
- 3 oz grated parmesan
- Fresh basil
Steps:
- Wash the tomatoes and boil them for 30 s. Skin, seed and dice them. Keep them on the side.
- Dice your onion thinly.
- Heat the broth and keep it warm.
- Melt 2 Tbsp butter + 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large thick-bottomed pot (I use an All Clad pot for example) and cook the onion for 10 mns, until tender.
- Add the rice and coat it well away from the heat for 1 mn, then add the tomatoes. Stir well.
- Cover the rice with enough broth to get hardly to the surface of the rice. Add the soaked saffron.
- Cook your risotto on medium to low heat, keep stirring but not too vigourously (so that you do disturb the gluten). Add more broth progressively, one ladleful at a time (wait each time that all the liquid is absorbed before adding a new ladleful).
- Just before the end, add the Vermouth with 2 Tbsp butter, the grated parmesan and chopped basil, away from heat. Stir gently and serve immediately. Your risotto should not be too dry but very moist, and has to be eaten right away, to be enjoyed best.
Ingrédients :
- 300 g de riz Carnaroli (ou un autre riz de risotto comme Arborio)
- 400 g tomates cerises
- 946 ml de bouillon de volaille
- 1/2 oignon rouge
- 60 g de beurre
- 2 càs d’huile d’olive
- 1/2 càc de safran (0.25 g), mis à tremper dans du bouillon chaud
- 12,5 cl de Vermouth blanc
- 75 g de parmesan râpé
- Basilic frais
Étapes :
- Lavez les tomates et ébouillantez-les pendant 30 s. Pelez-les, épépinnez-les avant de les concasser. Mettez-les de côté.
- Hachez l’oignon finement.
- Faites chauffer le bouillon et gardez-le au chaud.
- Faites fondre 30 g de beurre avec 2 càs d’huile d’olive dans une casserole à fond épais et faites revenir l’oignon sur feux moyen à doux, pendant 10 à 15 mns, jusqu’à ce qu’il soit tendre.
- Ajoutez alors le riz et enrobez-le pendant 1 mn, à l’écart de la source de chaleur avant d’ajouter les tomates. Mélangez bien et remettez sur le feu.
- Versez du bouillon jusqu’à hauteur du riz. Ajoutez le safran dilué.
- Cuisez le risotto sur feu moyen à doux, en remuant constamment (mais pas de trop pour éviter de perturber le gluten). Ajoutez une louche après l’autre, en prêtant attention à ce que tout le liquide soit absorbé avant d’en ajouter une autre.
- Juste avant la fin, hors du feu, ajoutez le Vermouth avec 30 g de beurre, le parmesan râpé, et le basilic. Mélangez délicatement et servez sans attendre. Votre risotto ne doit être ni trop mouillé, ni trop sec, et doit être mangé de suite pour être mieux apprécié.
35 Comments »
The comments for this entry can be syndicated via RSS. You can trackback from your own site.
Il y a de ces hasards: je me branche à mon compte Flickr ce soir, après avoir cuisiné un risotto au poulet et aux tomates, et c’est ta photo d’un risotto aux tomates qui m’y accueille! Il devait y avoir quelque chose dans l’air qui donnait envie de ça ce soir
Il y avait aussi du vermouth dans le mien, mais c’est au tout début et non à la fin que je le verse.
Pour le reste, ça se ressemble… sauf pour les photos: tu es bien plus douée que moi!
Comment by Martine la banlieusarde — On September, 24th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
I have the same difficulties with decision making. I can never make up mind and spend hours trying to make a choice. If this risotto tastes as good as it looks, I’m sure your friend will love it!
Comment by Natalia — On September, 24th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
I’m also terrible with decisions, yet if I
had the choice to try or not try this risotto, the decision would be very easy indeed!! I adore risotto!
Comment by Bron — On September, 24th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
un des plats que j’adore, et avec toutes ces couleurs c’est vraiment tentant..
Comment by Audrey — On September, 25th, 2006 at 1:05 am
N’ayons pas peur des mots : :les plus belles photos des blogues que je visite !
Comment by Beah — On September, 25th, 2006 at 1:26 am
Tes photos sont SUPERBES!!! J’aime beaucoup la première! Et moi qui aime par dessus tout le risotto…je crois qu’il me sera difficile d’y résister! Allez, hop, jvais faire marcher mon imprimante.
Comment by noémie — On September, 25th, 2006 at 2:48 am
Magnifique risotto, ça sent l’Italie jusque devant mon écran!
Comment by Adèle — On September, 25th, 2006 at 3:06 am
you are brave cooking risotto for an italian but if it tastes anywhere near as good as it looks I’m sure you’ll be viewed as a goddess…good luck
Comment by jules — On September, 25th, 2006 at 3:15 am
Le carnaroli c’est la meilleur choix pour le risotto!
t’es très douée pour la cuisine italienne!
Photos splendides et généreuse…
Comment by daniela — On September, 25th, 2006 at 3:25 am
I love risotto, made well, Bea. Sounds like a delicious recipe. What’s the advantage of adding the wine at the end rather than at the start? Lovely pics, as always.
Comment by Christine (myplateoryours) — On September, 25th, 2006 at 3:35 am
ok, un seul mot me vient à la bouche: bellissimo!
Comment by peggy — On September, 25th, 2006 at 4:59 am
I love that first photo… and the recipe itself! Yum.
Comment by Danielle — On September, 25th, 2006 at 6:26 am
Looks great…I’m a moist but not soupy fan of risotto
Comment by Jeff — On September, 25th, 2006 at 8:02 am
Il est ebau. Mais tu es vraiment courageuse amie Taureau, je n’oserais jamais servir un risotto a mes amis italiens, comme tu dis, il peuvent etre taquins…
Comment by Gracianne — On September, 25th, 2006 at 8:30 am
Hi Bea! Your risotto sounds fabulous – gorgeous pictures!
Comment by gilly — On September, 25th, 2006 at 9:30 am
Delicieux!
Comment by Bruno — On September, 25th, 2006 at 9:55 am
This MUST be delicious! Such lovely colours also.
Comment by keiko — On September, 25th, 2006 at 10:35 am
I LOVE risotto. It’s a miracle what one pot can create and you’re there every step of the process. The colors in this one are spectacular!
Comment by vanessa — On September, 25th, 2006 at 11:06 am
Qu’est-ce que j’aime tes photos! Et le risotto ? C’est une merveille! Et puis je l’aime aussi!
Un Taureau aussi!
Comment by menus propos — On September, 25th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
I also love risotto. It’s very interesting how you add the vermouth at the end. I think particularly with this simple saffron risotto, it would work very well this way. I’ll have to try that.
Comment by Julie — On September, 25th, 2006 at 1:52 pm
même les risotto ont quelque chose de particulier chez toi… ahhh… j’aimerais prendre une pension complète!
Comment by Alhya — On September, 25th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
Sister! I am a Taurus with Libra rising, too! (And Aquarius moon.) What’s your moon sign?
Comment by Tana — On September, 25th, 2006 at 3:34 pm
Your risotto looks divine. You are, indeed, a Goddess. No doubt. S. should swoon.
Comment by Karina — On September, 25th, 2006 at 7:10 pm
I love everything you make! They always look delicious and very vibrant in color!
Comment by Kat — On September, 26th, 2006 at 12:45 am
Now I wanna know what is MY ascendant! Oooh, and we must be thinking on the same wavelength here…I made bulgur-stuffed saffron tomatoes over the weekend!
Comment by rowena — On September, 26th, 2006 at 4:16 am
J’adore le rizotto et les tomates , donc ta recette est pour moi
(juste une petite question c’est quoi le vermouth ? je peux remplacer par quoi ?)
Comment by Marmitedecathy — On September, 26th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Coucou Martine, quelle belle coincidence en effet. Je suis sûre que cela devait être délicieux ! Merci de ton conpliment.
Natalia, thanks, still deciding
Bron, nice of you!
Audrey, merci.
Beah, merci de ton gentil mot. Ca me fait très plaisir d’entendre cela.
Noémie, ahah. Merci!
Adèle, ah oui, si seulement on pouvait y ête, en Italie.
Jules, yes I know, I am still unsure what I will do!
Daniela, merci. Comme toi c’est vrai, le carnaroli, c’est super bon.
Christine, Thanks a lot. I like to add the Vermouth at the end because I feel the taste more. And I Like it better this way.
Peggy, merci
Danielle, thanks.
Jeff, yes each of us prefers it differently, don’t we?
Gracianne, oui, je sais, mais comme tu sais, je peux encore changer d’avis
Gilly, thanks a lot.
Thanks Bruno.
Keiko, thanks a lot. I am pleased to see you like it.
Vanessa, thanks a lot my dear.
Mireille, merci, oui toi aussi? Taureau?
Thanks Julie, yes I am sure it should be lovely too. I love the wine/Vermouth touch, so it all depends on each one’s taste.
Alhya, mais oui, quand tu veux
Tana, ah I don’t know that part. How can I determine it?
Karina, thank you.
Rowena, yes check your ascendant out! It is fun. I would love to see your recipe too.
Cathy, je t’ai envoyé un message. Merci à toi !
Comment by Béa — On September, 26th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
I adore risotto! It’s one of my favorite meals–and that looks magnificent. Thank you.
Comment by sher — On September, 26th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
I´m ascendant Taurus as well, but don´t see any patience on the horizon, yet. Except for risotto. I´m always ready to take my time with it. Good recipe, will try.
Comment by lobstersquad — On September, 27th, 2006 at 5:36 am
So beautiful! I have a terrible fear of attempting risotto, but you make it sound most tempting.
Comment by s'kat — On September, 27th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
[...] Alors à bientôt, and if you are in Paris, let me know, who knows, maybe we can meet if time allows, most likely on Oct 11th! Note: I ended up deciding to cook my tomato risotto for my Italian friend S. who added “You passed the risotto test”. None was left, which is a good sign, especially from someone whose father grows Carnaroli risotto back in Italy! Posted at 5:18 pm Tagged as: General [...]
Pingback by La tartine gourmande » Blog Archive » Going to France — Destination, la France — On September, 29th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
If you think a collection of articles on Saffron might be of interest or use to you, and want to find out more, feel free to visit http://www.saffronguide.com .
btw, I don’t sell anything, the site is just a collection of articles that I’ve collated, all used with permission. (You can click on the Articles1, 2, 3 & 4 links on the top right for a list of more.)
Comment by SaffronTips — On November, 28th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Une recette ultra connue, mais j’ai en revanche rarement vu de clichés si beaux…!
Comment by Cherout — On January, 22nd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
[...] ai trouvé mon bonheur !Risotto au safranRecette trouvée chez Loukoum, qui est originaire de chez Béa Pour 4 [...]
Pingback by Un reviens-y de Rome et de l’Italie - et un dîner — Recettes de Cuisines - Chaque jour de nouvelles recettes — On April, 4th, 2008 at 3:09 am
[...] ai trouvé mon bonheur !Risotto au safranRecette trouvée chez Loukoum, qui est originaire de chez Béa Pour 4 [...]
Pingback by Un reviens-y de Rome et de l’Italie - et un dîner — Recettes de Cuisines - Chaque jour de nouvelles recettes — On April, 4th, 2008 at 3:09 am