Red-Wine Risotto

From EatingWell: September/October 2008 — Subscribe Now!

Rich, red-wine-infused risotto is served as a first course or side dish all over Northern Italy. The type of wine used varies according to region. In Piedmont, a local Barbera or Barbaresco is the wine of choice. Any dry red wine that's good enough to drink can be used in its place.

8 servings, about 3/4 cup each

Active Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups arborio, carnaroli or other Italian “risotto” rice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups dry red wine, such as Barbera, Barbaresco or Pinot Noir
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1 cup finely shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation

Place broth in a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat so the broth remains steaming, but is not simmering.
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is very soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add rice and salt and stir to coat.
Stir 1/2 cup of the hot broth and a generous splash of wine into the rice; reduce heat to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid has been absorbed. Add more broth, 1/2 cup at a time along with some wine, stirring after each addition until most of the liquid has been absorbed. After about 10 minutes, stir in tomato paste. Continue to cook, adding broth and wine and stirring after each addition until most of the liquid is absorbed; the risotto is done when you’ve used all the broth and wine and the rice is creamy and just tender, 20 to 30 minutes more.
Remove the risotto from the heat; stir in 3/4 cup cheese and pepper. Serve sprinkled with the remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

Nutrition

Per serving: 194 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 4 g mono); 5 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 7 g protein; 1 g fiber; 237 mg sodium; 215 mg potassium.

1 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat