How to make risotto

Think risotto is hard? It's easy once you know how! Follow our simple step-by-step picture guide to get your risotto perfect every time

How to make risotto
(Image credit: Future)

Think risotto is hard? It's easy once you know how! Follow our simple step-by-step picture guide to get your risotto perfect every time

Think risotto is hard? It's easy once you know how! Follow our simple step-by-step picture guide to get your risotto perfect every time First get the recipe for Rosemary Schrager's basic herb risotto.

How to make risotto: Step 1

How to make risotto

Pour the stock into a pan and bring to a simmer. Keep over a gentle heat while you make the risotto.

How to make risotto: Step 2

How to make risotto

Melt the butter in a heavy-based saucepan.

How to make risotto: Step 3

How to make risotto

Add the onions and leeks.

How to make risotto: Step 4

How to make risotto

Stir, then cover and cook gently until soft but not coloured.

How to make risotto: Step 5

How to make risotto

Add the rice and stir for 1 or 2 minutes until well coated with the butter.

How to make risotto: Step 6

How to make risotto

Pour in the white wine, if using, and stir until it has been completely absorbed by the rice.

How to make risotto: Step 7

How to make risotto

Start adding the hot stock a ladleful at a time, stirring continuously.

How to make risotto: Step 8

How to make risotto

Make sure each addition is completely absorbed before adding the next ladleful. 'The rice should be crying out for liquid before you add more,' says Rosemary Schrager.

How to make risotto: Step 9

How to make risotto

Repeat until you have added all the stock – it should take 25 to 30 minutes and the mixture needs to be at a gentle simmer throughout.

How to make risotto: Step 10

How to make risotto

At the end, the rice should be cooked through, but still a little al dente.

How to make risotto: Step 11

How to make risotto

Stir in the Parmesan, parsley, coriander and 2 tablespoons of the chives.

How to make risotto: Step 12

How to make risotto

Season well with salt and pepper and gently stir in the cream. Sprinkle with the remaining chives and serve immediately.

Your finished risotto

How to make risotto

(Image credit: Future)

This basic herb risotto is the perfect starting point, see our top 10 risotto recipes for delicious ways to adapt it.

Taken from Rosemary Shrager's Absolutely Foolproof Classic Home Cooking (published by Hamlyn, £18.99, octopusbooks.co.uk)

Where to next?

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Jessica Dady
Food Editor

Jessica Dady is Food Editor at GoodtoKnow and has over 11 years of experience as a digital editor, specialising in all things food, recipes, and SEO. From the must-buy seasonal food hampers and advent calendars for Christmas to the family-friendly air fryers that’ll make dinner time a breeze, Jessica loves trying and testing various food products to find the best of the best for the busy parents among us. Over the years of working with GoodtoKnow, Jessica has had the privilege of working alongside Future’s Test Kitchen to create exclusive videos - as well as writing, testing, and shooting her own recipes. When she’s not embracing the great outdoors with her family at the weekends, Jessica enjoys baking up a storm in the kitchen with her favourite bakes being chocolate chip cookies, cupcakes, and a tray of gooey chocolate brownies