Risotto Venetian Style Food

THE BEST RISOTTO

Steps:

• Warm the chicken stock in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cover and keep warm while you make the risotto.
• Heat the olive oil in another medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 10 grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the bay leaves and 3 tablespoons butter, stirring until the butter has melted, about 1 minute.
• Add the rice and toast, stirring only once, until it smells nutty and starts to turn light golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour in the wine and simmer, stirring occasionally, until it has evaporated completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Ladle one cup of the warm stock into the rice and cook, stirring gently without stopping, until the rice has absorbed the liquid, 2 to 3 minutes (you will know it's time to add more stock when you move the rice aside and no liquid pools in the center).
• Repeat this process, adding more stock a ladleful at a time, until the rice is al dente, 17 to 19 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. (You may have a little stock left over. If so, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.) If you prefer your risotto on the saucier side, add more stock 1/4 cup at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
• Stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon salt and a few more grinds of black pepper and serve with more Parmesan, if desired.

RISOTTO VENETIAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Shell peas, wash pods and add the pods to the broth. Cook for about 30 minutes. When the pods are soft, puree them in a blender or food processor with a little of the broth. Add this mixture to the remaining broth; you will have a rather thick greenish soup.
• Melt half of the butter in a saucepan. When it is hot, add the chopped prosciutto, rendering the fat from the meat. Add the rice and stir until it is well coated. Start adding the broth one ladle at a time. Add salt and pepper to taste, and cook over medium heat until the rice is half done, stirring frequently. Add the peas and a little more broth.
• When rice is firm but tender, add the Parmesan cheese. Before removing the pot from the heat, add the rest of the butter. Stir and serve immediately.