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Saffron Risotto

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 15, 2008

Time

1 hour

Yield

Serves 6 as a first course or side dish

Italian Name:

Risotto alla milanese

Saffron Risotto

Ingredients

3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth 3 cups water 4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter 1 onion, mincedSalt 2 cups Arborio or Carnoroli rice ¼ teaspoon saffron threads 1 cup dry white wine 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)Ground black pepper

Before You Begin

Don't fret if you have broth left over once the rice is finished cooking; different brands of rice cook differently, and we prefer to err on the side of slightly too much broth rather than too little. If you do use all the broth and the rice has not finished cooking, add hot water.

Instructions

  1. Bring broth and water to simmer in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to lowest possible setting to keep broth warm
  2. Melt butter in 4-quart saucepan over medium heat; add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is very soft and translucent, about 9 minutes. Add rice and crumble saffron threads with fingers into pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until edges of rice grains are transparent, about 4 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring frequently, until wine is completely absorbed by rice, about 2 minutes. Add 3 cups warm broth and, stirring infrequently (about every 3 minutes), simmer until liquid is absorbed and bottom of pan is dry, 10 to 12 minutes.
  3. Add more broth, 1/2 cup at a time, as needed to keep pan bottom from drying out (every 3 to 4 minutes), and cook, stirring frequently, until grains of rice are cooked through but still somewhat firm in center, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately in warmed shallow bowls.
Saffron Risotto
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Elle Simone.

Saffron Risotto

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

1 hour

Yield

Serves 6 as a first course or side dish

Italian Name:

Risotto alla milanese

Ingredients

3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
1 onion, minced
Salt
2 cups Arborio or Carnoroli rice
¼ teaspoon saffron threads
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
Ground black pepper

Ingredients

3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
1 onion, minced
Salt
2 cups Arborio or Carnoroli rice
¼ teaspoon saffron threads
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
Ground black pepper

Ingredients

3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 cups water
4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
1 onion, minced
Salt
2 cups Arborio or Carnoroli rice
¼ teaspoon saffron threads
1 cup dry white wine
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (2 ounces)
Ground black pepper

Why This Recipe Works

Risotto achieves its creamy texture through constant stirring, which causes the rice to release its starch. We toasted the saffron in butter, which magnified its flavor, helped break up the threads, and distributed it throughout the rice.

Before You Begin

Don't fret if you have broth left over once the rice is finished cooking; different brands of rice cook differently, and we prefer to err on the side of slightly too much broth rather than too little. If you do use all the broth and the rice has not finished cooking, add hot water.

Instructions

  1. Bring broth and water to simmer in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to lowest possible setting to keep broth warm
  2. Melt butter in 4-quart saucepan over medium heat; add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is very soft and translucent, about 9 minutes. Add rice and crumble saffron threads with fingers into pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until edges of rice grains are transparent, about 4 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring frequently, until wine is completely absorbed by rice, about 2 minutes. Add 3 cups warm broth and, stirring infrequently (about every 3 minutes), simmer until liquid is absorbed and bottom of pan is dry, 10 to 12 minutes.
  3. Add more broth, 1/2 cup at a time, as needed to keep pan bottom from drying out (every 3 to 4 minutes), and cook, stirring frequently, until grains of rice are cooked through but still somewhat firm in center, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately in warmed shallow bowls.

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