Creamy Sausage Risotto

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 salsiccia sausages, casings removed 4 salsiccia sausages, casings removed
• 1 ½ cups (300g) Arborio rice 1 ½ cups (300g) Arborio rice
• ½ cup (120ml) white wine ½ cup (120ml) white wine
• 4 cups (960ml) chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups (960ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 480 kcal / 2010 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 28g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 2g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the salsiccia sausages to the pan, breaking them up into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through.
3. 3.
   Add the Arborio rice to the pan and stir well to coat it with the sausage and onion mixture.
4. 4.
   Pour in the white wine and cook until it has evaporated.
5. 5.
   Begin adding the broth to the pan, one ladleful at a time, stirring continuously until the liquid is absorbed before adding more. Continue this process until the rice is cooked al dente, which should take about 20 minutes.
6. 6.
   Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Remove the pan from heat and let the risotto rest for a few minutes before serving.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Arborio rice — Use Arborio rice specifically for risotto as it has a high starch content, which contributes to the creamy texture of the dish.
• Salsiccia sausages — Look for high-quality Italian sausages with a good balance of spices and meat. If salsiccia is not available, you can substitute with other flavorful sausages such as spicy Italian sausage or chorizo.

Tips & Tricks

• Stir the risotto continuously while adding the broth to ensure a creamy consistency.
• Use homemade chicken or vegetable broth for the best flavor.
• Experiment with different types of sausages to add variety to the dish.
• For a vegetarian version, replace the sausages with mushrooms or roasted vegetables.
• Leftover risotto can be transformed into delicious arancini (risotto balls) by shaping them, coating in breadcrumbs, and frying until golden brown.

Serving advice

Serve the Creamy Sausage Risotto as a main course, accompanied by a fresh green salad and crusty bread. It pairs well with a glass of Italian red wine.

Presentation advice

Present the risotto in individual bowls, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top. The creamy texture should be visible, and the aroma of the sausages should entice the senses.