Soothing Saffron Risotto
This luxurious Italian classic features perfectly cooked Arborio rice, slowly simmered in a flavorful broth, enriched with butter, Parmesan, and a hint of white wine. Each bite melts in your mouth, offering a warm and velvety texture with a golden hue that’s as delightful to the eyes as it is to the taste buds.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 1/2 cup dry white wine optional, can substitute with vegetable broth
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth kept warm
- 1/2 tsp saffron threads
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Fresh Parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the Arborio rice to the pan and stir well to coat the grains in oil. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If using, pour in the white wine and stir until mostly absorbed.
- Reduce the heat to low. Begin adding the warm broth, one ladle at a time, stirring continuously until the liquid is absorbed before adding more.
- Repeat until the rice is creamy and cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.
- During the last 5 minutes, stir in the saffron threads and Parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Nutritional Analysis of Soothing Saffron Risotto (Per Serving)
Estimated Nutritional Values per Serving:
- Carbohydrates: ~39g
- Protein: ~7g
- Fat: ~7g
- Saturated Fat: ~2g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~4g
- Cholesterol: ~5mg (from Parmesan)
- Sodium: ~400-600mg (varies based on broth and Parmesan)
- Fiber: ~2g
- Sugar: ~1g
Nutrient Breakdown:
- Carbs (39g) → Mainly from Arborio rice, providing energy.
- Protein (7g) → From Parmesan cheese & broth.
- Fats (7g) → Healthy fats from olive oil, with some from cheese.
- Sodium (400-600mg) → Mostly from broth & Parmesan (adjustable based on broth choice).
- Fiber (2g) → From rice & onion (can be increased by adding veggies).