2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth, or 1 cup dried mushrooms (preferably porcini) and 2 quarts water
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups Arborio or Carnaroli rice
1 cup dry white wine
1 1/4 cups finely chopped fresh herbs, such as Italian parsley, tarragon, basil, chives, or chervil
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more as needed
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more as needed
This risotto doesn’t require much work: Simply stir the rice, drop in a large handful of fresh chopped herbs at the end, and you’ve got an aromatic, flavorful, healthy risotto.
1Place the broth in a medium saucepan over low heat and keep it at a very low simmer. If you’re using dried mushrooms, place the mushrooms and the 2 quarts of water in a medium saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and let sit for at least 15 minutes. Strain the mushroom broth through a fine-mesh strainer set over another medium saucepan, leaving any sediment behind, and keep at a bare simmer over low heat. (Either save the rehydrated mushrooms for another use, or chop them, season them with salt, and add them to the risotto halfway through the cooking.)
2In a large wide pot or Dutch oven, heat the measured oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and a large pinch each of salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
3Add the rice and cook, stirring, until the kernels start to crackle, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the wine and let simmer, stirring often, until all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 2 to 4 minutes. Pour a ladleful of the simmering broth over the rice. Let simmer, stirring constantly, until the rice absorbs the liquid. Continue adding the broth, stirring and letting it absorb, until the rice is al dente, about 20 to 30 minutes (you may not use up all of the broth). Taste as you go for doneness, seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
4When the rice is done, remove from heat, add the herbs, Parmesan, and measured lemon juice, and stir to combine. Taste and season with more salt, pepper, Parmesan, and lemon juice as needed. Just before serving, loosen the risotto to the desired consistency with a little more broth or hot water and serve immediately. Drizzle each serving with olive oil.
Food blogger Pim Techamuanvivit is a longtime fan of Michael Tusk's risotto. Here she describes what makes it perfect. Tusk's restaurant, Quince, is located in San Francisco.
