THE BEST RISOTTO

The Best Risotto image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

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7 cups homemade chicken stock (see Cook's Note)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large shallot, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 bay leaves
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups arborio rice (see Cook's Note)
1 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish

Steps:

Warm the chicken stock in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
Heat the olive oil in another medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves and 3 tablespoons butter, stirring until the butter has melted, about 1 minute.
Add the rice and toast, stirring only once, until it smells nutty and starts to turn light golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has evaporated completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
Ladle one cup of the warm stock into the rice and cook, stirring gently without stopping, until the rice has absorbed the liquid, 2 to 3 minutes (you will know it's time to add more stock when you move the rice aside and no liquid pools in the center).
Repeat this process, adding more stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. (You may have a little stock left over. If so, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.) If you prefer your risotto on the saucier side, add more stock 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few more grinds of black pepper and serve with more Parmesan, if desired.