Saffron Risotto Recipe Top 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (2024)

Jump to the recipe Video Comments

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (1)
Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (2)

Author:
Thomas Sixt is a chef, food photographer, cookbook author and blogger.
Here he shares recipes, answers cooking questions and helps with cooking.

Today I’ll show you my vegetarianSaffron Risotto Recipe.

Risotto with saffron is a classic of Italian cuisine and known as Risotto alla milanese.

This risotto pleases the senses and is prepared in less than 35 minutes.

Enjoy it and conjure up a great dish for your guests and loved ones.

Table of Contents

  • 1. Recipe Saffron Risotto
  • 2. Nutritional Values
  • 3. The Right Type of Rice for Saffron Risotto
  • 4. Saffron Threads or Ground Saffron?
  • 5. Saffron Risotto Base, with or without Vegetables
  • 6. Chef Tip for Arranging and Quickly Saffron Sauce
  • 7. Other Recipes for Risotto

1. Recipe Saffron Risotto

Here you find my step by step guide, I am happy if you cook this dish yourself!

If you have any questions, please use the comment function. Good luck!

Saffron Risotto

Cooked, photographed and written down by chef Thomas Sixt.

Servings 4

Calories 330

Total Time 45 Min.

Preparation Time 15 Min.

Cook Time 30 Min.

Simple guide for preparing Risotto Milanese.

Rate Now!

4.95from1081ratings

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (3)

Ingredients

Saffron Risotto:

1 pc onion or 2 shallots geschält (peeled and finely diced)
1 bunch Soup vegetables (peeled and finely diced)
2 tbs oliv oil
1 tsp butter
300 g risotto rice
100 ml dry white wine
800 ml vegatable broth
100 g parmesan (or pecorino)
2 pinch Salt
0,2 g Saffron (2 small letters)
2 pinch nutmeg grounded
2 pinch Cayenne pepper

Decoration:


1/2 bunch Parsley (may be substituted)
1 tsp red pepper (may be substituted)

Instruction

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (5)

Prepare vegetables

Sweat vegetables and onions in 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon butter until translucent.

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (6)

Prepare risotto

Add risotto rice and sweat for 3 min. until colorless.

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (7)

Cook risotto

Add the dry white wine, vegetable stock, salt, saffron, nutmeg, cayenne pepper to the risotto. Cook the risotto stirring and simmering gently until al dente.

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (8)

Saffron supplement

Prepare the saffron sauce as desired, see the description in the text above.

Cut some cheese with the peeler wafer-thin and put ready, remaining cheese grate finely and add to the risotto.

Vegan: leave out the cheese!

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (9)

Season risotto to taste

The risotto final creamy tune, possibly additionally with butter and olive oil creamy stir.

The risotto tastes best when it is not too firm but runs off the spoon.

Arrange the saffron risotto on the preheated plates.

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (10)

Serve

Add the prepared cheese slices and alternatively add the saffron foam.

Finely chopped parsley or some chervil and red pepper are suitable as decoration.

Video

Courses

Cousine

2. Nutritional Values

3. The Right Type of Rice for Saffron Risotto

The three well-known risotto rice varieties are called Arborio, Carnaroli and Vialone. Here is a small description:

3.1 Arborio

Arborio is the best known and most widely used rice for risotto.

This rice variety is named after a place in Piedmont.

The rice is recognizable by thick grains about 7 mm long and quite symmetrical.

Arborio Risotto Rice Cooking time: About 16-18 minutes cooking time is optimal for this rice variety.

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (11)

Conclusion: Arborio is a safe variant and ideal for the guest kitchen.

Tip from Chef Thomas Sixt

3.2 Carnaroli

Carnaroli is called the king of risotto rice varieties.

This trip was crossed in 1945 from the varieties Vialone and Lencino.

The Carnaroli always produces a wonderfully creamy, pleasantly pithy risotto.

The grains are about 7 mm long. Carnaroli does not stick when cooked.

On the plate it offers a great, bright, almost completely white appearance and a slightly sweet aftertaste.

Carnaroli Risotto Rice Cooking time: About 16 minutes cooking time is optimal for this rice variety.

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (12)

Conclusion: Carnaroli is the rice of top cuisine, Gualtiero Marchesi, Italy’s first three-star chef, says:
“I only use Carnaroli because it gives the risotto more creaminess and keeps it al dente longer than all the others”.

Tip from Chef Thomas Sixt

3.3 Vialone

The Risotto rice variety Vialone is little known in Germany. Vialone rice grains are larger and rounder than Carnaroli.

This rice produces a very typical risotto and has the shortest cooking time of the three varieties.

Vialone Risotto Rice Cooking time: About 14 minutes cooking time is optimal for this rice variety.

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (13)

Conclusion: Try it out and buy it in special shops or bring it directly from Italy.

Tip from chef Thomas Sixt
Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (14)
Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (15)

4. Saffron Threads or Ground Saffron?

You can prepare your saffron risotto with ground saffron or saffron threads.

Experience shows that a mixture is ideal because ground saffron makes the risotto more colourful.

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (16)
Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (17)

5. Saffron Risotto Base, with or without Vegetables

As a basis for the saffron risotto I use vegetables like carrot, celeriac, parsley root and shallots or small onions.

Cut the vegetables into fine cubes and sauté in some olive oil and butter.

This is a good taste basis for your risotto and you will achieve a natural, tasty depth.

If you want to make it fast, just leave the vegetables out – prepare risotto only with shallots or onion base.

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (18)

Prepare saffron risotto with vegetables, great taste guaranteed!

Tip from Chef Thomas Sixt
Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (19)
Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (20)

6. Chef Tip for Arranging and Quickly Saffron Sauce

Here are some tips from the catering trade for your perfect saffron risotto…

6.1 Arrange Saffron Risotto optimally

You can arrange the saffron risotto in the classic way as in the picture.

Use a sideboard ring and place it on the warm plate.

Fill in the risotto, it should not be too liquid for this variation.

Decorate with some cheese – I cut the pecorino or parmesan into fine, wafer-thin slices with a peeler!

6.2 Saffron Sauce or Saffron Foam

Towards the end of the cooking time, keep the risotto more liquid with about 200 ml broth and bring to the boil.

Then pass the broth through a sieve into an extra pot.

You can add a few grains of rice to bind the saffron sauce.

Bring the saffron-rice broth to the boil and mix with a cup of cream.

Now refine with salt, pepper, nutmeg and saffron and mix with cold butter until foamy.

Place the saffron foam on the risotto – it looks great and tastes great!

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (21)

Saffron foam gives the saffron risotto a kick towards starry cuisine!

Foamy sauces tip from chef Thomas Sixt
Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (22)
Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (23)

7. Other Recipes for Risotto

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (24)

Pumpkin Risotto Recipe For Gourmets

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (25)

Truffle Risotto Recipe

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (26)

Mushroom Risotto with Chanterelles

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (27)

Vegetable Risotto Recipe with Ideas for the Season

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (28)

Strawberry Risotto Recipe

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (29)

Lemon Risotto Recipe

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (30)

Mushroom Risotto Recipe

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (31)

Green Asparagus Risotto Recipe

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (32)

Wild Garlic Pesto Basic Recipe

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (33)

Saffron Risotto Recipe

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (34)

Saffron Risotto Shrimps Fish Variations Recipe

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (35)

Mushroom Risotto Recipe

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (36)

Vegetarian Pumpkin Risotto Recipe with Spinach

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (37)

Vegetable Risotto with Truffle Foam

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (38)

Red Wine Risotto, Recipe for Gourmets with Video Instructions

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (39)

This is how you cook an Asparagus Risotto simply and deliciously!

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (40)

Simple Risotto with Ham, Cooking Video and Step by Step Story

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (41)

Porcini Risotto Recipe with Cooking Video Instructions

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (42)

Make your own Pesto, Basil Pesto alla Genovese, Recipe with Step by Step Photos and Chef´s Tips

Saffron RisottoRecipeTop 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (43)

Pure Italy with easy Radicchio Risotto

Comments, Cooking Questions and Answers

4.95from1081ratings

Below you can write to me directly.
Please don’t forget the star rating on the recipe, 5 stars means you liked it!

Saffron Risotto Recipe Top 3*** | Thomas Sixt Foodblog (2024)

FAQs

What is Gordon Ramsay's recipe for risotto? ›

ingredients
  1. 1 large shallot, chopped finely.
  2. 4 tablespoons olive oil.
  3. 8 ounces baby portabella mushrooms, sliced.
  4. 10 ounces arborio rice.
  5. 12 cup dry white wine.
  6. 4 cups low sodium chicken broth.
  7. 8 ounces plum tomatoes, skinned, seeded and finely chopped.
  8. 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped.

What is the most famous risotto? ›

A bit later in Milan, the most famous risotto dish, Risotto alla Milanese, was created. It was suffused with saffron, like paella. The year was 1829 and the name Risotto alla Milanese appears for the first time in the recipe book Nuovo Cuoco Milanese Economico.

What to pair with saffron risotto? ›

Serve this saffron risotto alongside roast meat in keeping with the traditional pairing of risotto alla Milanese with osso bucco (Italy's famous braised veal shanks, not unlike our braised lamb shanks). Or, let the golden rice stand on its own as a main course with a simple salad on the side.

What can I add to risotto to make it taste better? ›

Sautéed shallots, garlic, shiitake mushrooms, and thyme are used to build a robust and flavorful foundation on which arborio rice and hot stock are melded. With each stir of the spoon, the starches thicken, and the earthy essence of the mushrooms builds depth of flavor.

What is the secret to great risotto? ›

Never wash your rice beforehand as this removes the starch, which is what helps give risotto its smooth texture. Cook your risotto on a low, simmering heat and add the stock gradually, one ladle at a time. This gives the rice time to fully absorb the liquid and flavours. Rushing your risotto will only ruin its texture.

What is the secret ingredient in risotto? ›

Use Salted Water Instead of Broth in Risotto

It's an ingenious tip on many levels.

What is the king of risotto rice? ›

Often called the "king of Italian rice," carnaroli from Riso Buono is the risotto variety of choice for cooks in the know. With a higher starch content and firmer texture than the arborio you may see at the grocery store, this rice makes an ultra-creamy, restaurant-quality risotto that's almost impossible to overcook.

What do Italians serve with risotto? ›

In Italy, when it is not used as a complete meal, risotto is considered a main dish, and is usually served with small portions of meat or light vegetable side dishes. For example, it is very common to pair risotto with a couple of lemon escalopes, or with bresaola and arugula.

What kind of rice is best for risotto? ›

The 3 Most Popular Types of Risotto Rice
  1. Carnaroli. Called the “king” or “caviar” of risotto rice, chefs like to use this one for its great flavor and because each grain maintains its shape. ...
  2. Arborio. This variety of rice is not as starchy as carnaroli, but it is the most widely available. ...
  3. Vialone Nano.

Why is saffron risotto yellow? ›

It's said to have come about in the mid-1800s, when a team of glassmakers took some of the saffron they were using to color the stained glass windows in Milan's Duomo cathedral and added it to the risotto being served at dinner.

What flavors go best with saffron? ›

Foods that go well with saffron include carrots, fennel bulbs, onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, ginger, turmeric, potatoes, parsnips, asparagus, artichokes, oranges, lemons, beans, eggplant, nuts, chicken, fish, shellfish, rice, pasta, cream, butter, and cheeses.

What is the etiquette for eating risotto? ›

Obviously there is not written rule, as in most cases concerning customs or "good manners": however, according to the Italian Academy of Galateo, a correct way to eat risotto exists. In fact, according to the opinion of these experts, risotto should only be eaten with a fork.

How does Hell's Kitchen cook risotto so quickly? ›

"Boil salted water, throw in the rice, boil it for nine minutes, strain it and throw it on a sheet pan. It's 90% cooked, so all you're doing is just picking it up. Once it's blanched, I can make risotto, from beginning to end, in three minutes."

How is risotto traditionally made? ›

Unlike other rice recipes that require simmering in a pot of water, risotto is cooked very slowly by adding small amounts of liquid at a time. This process allows the rice to release its starches, creating a rich, velvety sauce with soft but slightly al dente grains.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jonah Leffler

Last Updated:

Views: 5815

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jonah Leffler

Birthday: 1997-10-27

Address: 8987 Kieth Ports, Luettgenland, CT 54657-9808

Phone: +2611128251586

Job: Mining Supervisor

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Electronics, Amateur radio, Skiing, Cycling, Jogging, Taxidermy

Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.