The risotto is one of the dishes the world's most popular Italian food. With its creamy texture and delicate flavours, this flat is a culinary institution to be discovered. But how do you go about prepare a real Italian risotto worthy of the name? Which rice to choose? What ingredients should I use?

Don't panic, we've put together all the secrets you need to know to prepare an authentic risotto. Follow this guide and become a real Italian chef in just a few simple steps!

Why choosing the right rice is essential for a successful risotto?

The Italian cuisine is renowned for its subtlety and finesse, using fresh, quality ingredients to bring out the flavours. Risotto is a perfect example of this, with the careful choice of rice to achieve the dish's characteristic creamy, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Not all types of rice are suitable for preparing a risotto worthy of the name.

Here are the different varieties of rice, but three of them are particularly suitable for making risotto:

• Arborio : the variety most commonly used for risotto outside Italy. Arborio has a creamy texture and absorbs broth well.
• Carnaroli : Often considered the king of risotto rices, Carnaroli is prized by Italian chefs for its firmer texture and resistance to overcooking.
• Vialone Nano : Less well known outside Italy, this medium-grain rice offers an interesting alternative to the other two varieties. It makes a lighter, airier risotto.

What are the basic ingredients for an authentic risotto?

A successful risotto depends largely on the quality of its basic ingredients. Here are the four pillars that will help you master the art of Italian risotto:

Broth: how to choose and prepare it?

The choice of broth is crucial when preparing risotto. It must be tasty and contain the right amount of salt so that the rice can absorb its flavours.

You can choose a chicken, vegetable, beef or fish stock depending on the recipe you have chosen. A tip for a tasty homemade broth: remember to add herbs and spices to give it character.

If you use a stock cube, choose a quality one and limit the salt added to the rest of the recipe.

The soffritto: which aromatic base for your risotto?

The soffritto is a onion mixture, shallotsor other aromatic vegetables, finely chopped and sautéed in olive oil or butter. It is important to cook them gently so as not to burn them, and to incorporate them into the preparation from the very first stages of cooking. This will create a tasty base that will add body to your risotto.

White wine: is it essential? How to choose it?

The white wine is one of the ingredients that bring a touch ofacidity to your risotto, giving it the perfect balance of sweetness and freshness. So, yes, white wine is essential - don't skip it!

When choosing a wine, choose a dry wine without too much acidity or tannin, which could make your preparation too bitter. Of course, adapt your choice according to the other ingredients in the recipe.

And don't forget: only cook with a wine that you enjoy tasting, it will make all the difference to your risotto.

The cheese: Parmesan or Pecorino, what's the difference?

Ah, the cheese... How can you imagine a risotto without this creamy, gourmet touch? The two stars of Italian grated cheese are Parmesan cheese and the PecorinoBut which one to choose and why grate your own cheese?

The milder, slightly fruity Parmesan is perfect for classic risotto recipes.

Pecorino, more pronounced and slightly spicy, will add character to even the most daring recipes. As for the importance of grating your own cheese, it preserves all its flavour and texture, which is very beneficial for your risotto.

So, do yourself a favour and get your hands dirty, or rather, your grater!

How to prepare risotto: step by step

Ready to cook the perfect Italian risotto? Follow these steps to get a result worthy of the best risottos!

1. Cooking the soffritto

Every good risotto starts with a soffritto. This is simply onion, shallot or similar vegetables finely chopped and fried in olive oil or butter.

To begin, heat a frying pan over a medium heat with a little fat. Add the chopped vegetables and cook until translucent and tender, but without browning. Now you've got the perfect base for your risotto!

2. Glaze the rice

Now that you have prepared the soffrittoNow it's time to add the rice. Pour the rice directly into the pan with the vegetables and stir well so that each grain of rice is coated with fat.

This is called pearl the rice. This step gives it a unique texture and helps it to absorb liquids better later on.

3. Add wine (if desired)

If you'd like to add a little white wine to your risotto, now's the time. Pour the wine into the pan, stirring all the time, and allow some of it to evaporate.

That's it, your risotto is now ready for the stock!

4. Gradually stir in the stock

The secret of a good risotto lies in the way you incorporate the stock. Add a ladleful of hot stock to your risotto and stir constantly until it has been completely absorbed by the rice.

This process will take about 20-25 minutes. At this stage, the cooking should be gentle and the mouthfeel should be creamy.

5. Tips for successful risotto

• Stir frequently: Risotto requires a lot of attention, so it's important to stir often to prevent the rice sticking to the bottom of the pan and to keep the mixture smooth.
• Low heat cooking : Make sure that the risotto is cooked over a low heat. Overcooking will make the risotto mushy.

6. The final touch: butter and grated cheese

Think your risotto is ready? Before serving, there's one last step: adding the finishing touch. Melt a piece of butter in the risotto and mix well. Then generously add grated cheese (parmesan or pecorino) and stir once more. The result is a creamy, flavoursome risotto.

Now that you've discovered all the secrets to making a real Italian risotto, all you have to do is get to work! Whether you're a novice in the kitchen or a seasoned chef, you can now make tasty, authentic risottos, thanks to these simple, effective tips. So don't hesitate any longer and let yourself be transported by the flavours of Italy, to the delight of your taste buds and those of your guests.

Buon appetito!