I come from the North West of Italy from Piemonte or in english Piedmont which means “At the foot of the mountain” and it’s Risotto country. I love Risotto and I love Tartufo – in english truffle. So I thought I’d share with all of you lovely followers this famous italian main course or “Primo” recipe with White Truffles:
Ingredients – 6 people
8 cups water
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
2 cups arborio rice
1 cup white wine
For Finishing
6 tablespoons butter, in tablespoon size pieces
½ cup Grana Padano, freshly grated, plus more for passing
1 ounce large white truffle, brushed clean
Directions
Heat the water in the pot almost to the boil. Cover and keep it very hot, on the stove near the risotto pan.
Put the olive oil, onions and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the saucepan and set over medium heat. Stir well as the onions start to heat and soften; stir frequently and cook until they’ve wilted and are just starting to color, 8 minutes or so.
Pour in the rice all at once, raise the heat and stir the rice and onions continuously, toasting the grains (but not browning them!) until they make a clicking sound as you turn them in the pan, 2 minutes or more. Now pour in the wine and keep stirring for another couple of minutes, all around the pan, until the moisture has evaporated and the rice is dry.
Immediately, ladle in 2 cups of the almost simmering water, enough to cover the rice, and lower the heat. Cook, stirring steadily, until the water is almost totally absorbed, 4 to 6 minutes. Quickly ladle in more water to cover the rice, add another 1/2 teaspoon salt, and keep stirring, as the rice swells, releases its starches and a thick creamy suspension starts to form. Again, when the water is almost completely absorbed-and you can see the bottom of the saucepan as you stir-ladle in another cup or so of water.
Remember how much water you add: after incorporating 6 cups (or a bit more) over a period of 15 to 20 minutes, taste the rice for texture and seasoning-add more salt and/or incorporate more hot water if needed. When the risotto is perfectly cooked-at once al dente and creamy-turn off the heat.
Without delay, drop the butter pieces into the saucepan and stir vigorously to mount-or amalgamate-the risotto with butter. Stir in the 1/2 cup of grated cheese. For each serving, spoon a mound of risotto into a warm pasta bowl and immediately shave paper-thin flakes of truffle over the top. Serve right away, as the heat releases the aroma of truffle into the air, and dish up the next portion.
Buon Appettito! Enjoy your meal!