Creamy, bright and infused with delicious aromatic herbs, this Risotto alla Milanese recipe is a total crowd pleaser. Translated as saffron risotto, Milanese risotto is said to originate from a practical joke in 16th century Italy.
In the year 1574, a team of Belgian glass makers were working on the Milan cathedral. One of these men was known for his talent for mixing colors. His secret was to add saffron to his work for its yellow color.
Because of this, Valerio from Flanders, the leader of the group, teased, “You’ll be putting saffron in your risotto next!”. He also gave the glassworker the nickname Saffron because of his love for the herb.
In an attempt to tease Valerio back, it’s thought that this glassworker snuck into Valerio’s daughter’s wedding (in another account, the glassworker was the groom) and put saffron in the risotto. The guests were shocked by the yellow rice dish but eventually tried, and loved it!
However, there is no mention of risotto Milanese until the late 1700’s or early 1800’s in cookbooks. Rice dishes were also typically boiled until around this time as well. Whether risotto Milanese was created in the 16th century or the 19th century, it’s one of the most famous Italian risotto dishes today.
What Is Risotto Milanese?
It’s a creamy rice dish seasoned with saffron for both flavor and color. It is eaten as a first course and also as a side dish. This dish pairs nicely with fresh fish, pork chops, and lamb.
How Do You Make Milanese Risotto?
There are three main things that distinguish risotto from another rice dish. Those things are:
- Roasting or sauteing the rice with butter and onions
- Cooking the rice by adding broth a little at a time
- A final mixing that makes the rice dish soft and creamy (Parmesan cheese is often added here)
Milanese risotto is different from other risotto recipes because it includes saffron, an herb that gives it it’s famous yellow color and flavor.
Want More? Savory Side Dish Ideas
If you’re looking for more side dish ideas, here are some of my favorites:
Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower “Potatoes” – I started making these creamy, rich mashed “potatoes” when my family was on a gut-healing protocol. We’ve reintroduced potatoes now, but we still LOVE this recipe!
Gluten-Free Homestyle Stuffing – Savory sage and sweet apples make this gluten-free stuffing recipe a delicious alternative to traditional bread-based side dishes.
Easy Spinach Dip – When it comes to helping kids (and adults) fall in love with veggies, butter and cheese go a long way. Families love this spinach dip, and I hope yours does, too!
Risotto alla Milanese Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 1½ cups water
- 4 oz Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 yellow onion (medium-sized)
- ¼ tsp saffron
- 3 TBSP butter (divided)
- 2 TBSP olive oil
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup white wine
- 1½ cups arborio rice
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the chicken stock and water.
- Bring to a boil then reduce to low heat to keep warm.
- While the stock is heating, grate the Parmesan cheese and set aside.
- Finely chop the herbs and set aside and finely dice the onion and set aside.
- Once the stock is hot, add the saffron and stir.
- In a new saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion, salt, and pepper, and saute until the onion is soft and translucent, but not browned.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the rice, stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the wine to the rice, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pan.
- Once the wine is almost all absorbed, add just enough warm stock to cover the rice.
- Cook, stirring frequently until the stock is almost all absorbed.
- Repeat the process of adding stock and cooking twice more.
- Taste the rice. It should be chewy and soft, but not crunchy. If it is crunchy and stock once more to finish cooking.
- Remove from heat, add the remaining butter, and cover.
- After 2 minutes stir in the Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs.
- Serve immediately with additional shredded Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you ever made risotto? Ever cooked with saffron?
That looks so good!!
Do you soak your rice for any length of time before cooking it? I have been soaking min in water with avc/ whey/ lemon juice for upwards of 24 hours before cooking it and I am wondering if this practice will prevent me from completing this recipe ( or any risotto) successfully.
Thanks
Hi Kayla, I do not soak my rice before making this recipe. And, there is only one way to find out… You have to just give it a try. 🙂
I would only soak it for 2-3 hours… any bit of soaking is going to be better than no soaking at all for you, but the rice will have a much different texture than if you were to start with unsoaked rice, AND it won’t take as long to cook. It also may not soak up as much stock. Just things to keep in mind.
After you have soaked the rice, be sure to thoroughly pat the rice dry. Then spread it in a thin layer onto a sheet pan lined with paper towels or parchment and set it in the fridge to further dry for another few hours before you would add it to the step in the recipe where I add the rice. Then just follow the recipe and see where it takes you.
Maybe cut the recipe by thirds so that if it doesn’t turn out, you won’t end up wasting pricy saffron, Parmesan or white wine. 🙂 Best of luck!!
Herbify..lol. Looks delicious!!
My kids love risotto. We have it about once a week and you’re right, homemade stock is the secret. And you’re right that it’s not difficult, you can do things like tidy up and stir it once you get the hang of it. And there are so many different things you can put it in. Great recipe!
Thank you so much! I totally agree with you. Once you get the hang of it, you can tidy up, or prep other things and stay close enough to stir it on occasion. 🙂
Is there any specific type if white wine you think works best for this recipe?
Sauvignon Blanc is a good choice, as is a French Dry Vermouth. As long as it is a crisp, uncloaked, dry white wine, you should be fine. 🙂 Nothing too fruity. Hope this helps! Enjoy the Risotto!!