Originating from Trentino-Alto Adige in northern Italy, where apple orchards are woven into the landscape, Risotto alle Mele brings a delicate sweetness to a classic savoury dish.
This apple risotto can be served as a side dish with roast pork, or made heartier with speck for a meal of its own.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 1 3/4 cups Arborio or Carnaroli rice
- 3 apples (Fuji work well - peeled, cored, cut into shavings / thin slices)
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- 1 small onion (peeled and chopped)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 4 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1-litre stock - vegetable (kept at a simmer in a small saucepan)
- 4 tablespoons Parmigiano Reggiano (freshly grated)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup speck cut into small squares and sautéed until cooked (optional)
Method:
Apple mixture
- Heat a tablespoon of butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat.
- Once the butter is melted, add the onion.
- Sauté the onion, stirring until it becomes translucent.
- Add the shaved apples, add the lemon juice to coat the apple and prevent oxidisation. Stir to combine the ingredients.
- Take off the heat and set the skillet aside.
Risotto
- Heat a tablespoon of butter and 4 tablespoons of olive oil in the Per Salute Sauteuse on medium heat. The combination of oil and butter will ensure that the butter doesn't burn.
- When the butter in the oil begins to bubble, add the rice, and cook, stirring gently to coat the grains until the grains become translucent.
- Add the wine. Stir gently until the wine has evaporated.
- Add the apple mixture, together with the first ladle of broth.
- Stir the rice gently, and continuously. When the ladle of broth has been absorbed, add another.
- Continue to stir the rice gently, continuously, adding ladle after ladle of broth until the rice reaches an al dente state.
- Turn off the heat. Add the remaining butter, and stir gently.
- Cover the pot for two minutes.
- Serve with grated Parmigiano Reggiano, as an accompaniment to roast pork. Or, add speck and serve as the main course.
