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Creamy Two-Person Risotto Recipe

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A creamy, comforting risotto recipe designed for two people, perfect for an elegant yet easy dinner with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (200g) Arborio rice
  • 3 cups (720ml) chicken or vegetable broth, kept warm
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup (120ml) dry white wine (optional)
  • ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Warm the broth: Place 3 cups (720ml) of chicken or vegetable broth in a medium saucepan over low heat. Keep it warm but not boiling throughout the cooking process. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil and 1 tablespoon (14g) butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until translucent and soft, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.
  3. Toast the rice: Add 1 cup (200g) Arborio rice to the pan, stirring constantly for 2 minutes until the rice becomes glossy and slightly translucent at the edges.
  4. Deglaze with wine: Pour in ½ cup (120ml) dry white wine, stirring until fully absorbed. If you don’t have wine, you can use a splash of lemon juice or skip this step.
  5. Add the broth gradually: Add about ½ cup (120ml) of warm broth to the rice. Stir gently but constantly until the liquid is mostly absorbed, about 3-4 minutes. Repeat adding broth in ½ cup increments, stirring frequently. Total simmering time is about 18-20 minutes.
  6. Check the texture: After about 18 minutes, taste the rice. It should be tender but still have a slight bite in the center (al dente). If too firm, add a little more broth and cook a few minutes longer.
  7. Finish with butter and cheese: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon (14g) butter and ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately on warmed plates.

Notes

Keep broth warm to ensure even cooking and creamy texture. Stir frequently but gently to release starch without mashing grains. Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor. Medium heat is ideal to avoid evaporation or slow cooking. Do not rinse Arborio rice to preserve starch. Adjust seasoning at the end to avoid overpowering flavors. Risotto is best served fresh but can be reheated gently with broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: risotto, creamy risotto, two-person dinner, easy risotto, Arborio rice, Italian dinner, date night recipe

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/creamy-two-person-risotto-recipe-easy-perfect-dinner-for-couples/