Amazon Quiz: This preparation of rice was created in which country?
Italy
France
Spain
Greece
Answer: Italy
Risotto is mainly served in Italy and comes from the northern part of the country. It is made with rice and is like a creamier version of mac and cheese. This characteristic comes from cooking the dish over a long period of time with liquids added, allowing the rice to release all its starch into this velvety concoction.
The dish includes a combination of rice, aromatics, and broth, of which the latter can be derived from fish, meat, and vegetables.
Although some iterations of the dish include the addition of cheese and butter, traditional preparations opt to have the rice release its starches for creaminess.
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Any form of rice grains can be used to make this dish, but the results vary on a case to case basis. Shorter grains tend to clump more and become chewier, while long grains remain fluffy.
Carnaroli rice is the best option since it is starchier, and offers a better end result.
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Legend has it that risotto was first made when a glassblower’s apprentice added pigment to rice at a wedding feast, but the first identifiable recipe is from 1809.
Different places in Italy have their own take on the dish, but one mentionable standout is Risotto alla milanese, a speciality in Milan, where they use lard for a creamier consistency.
Meanwhile, the Risotto al nero di seppia of the Veneto region is known for its characteristic black colour which is due to the preparatory method involving cuttlefish cooked with ink-sacs intact.
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