Baked Saffron Risotto With Mozzarella and Crispy Topping Recipe

Name: Baked Saffron Risotto With Mozzarella and Crispy Topping Recipe
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock; 1 packets (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin (only if using store-bought chicken broth or homemade broth that remains watery when chilled; see note); 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1/2 cup); 1 cup short-grain Asian rice (see note); 1/2 cup dry white wine; 1 pinch saffron; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon chilled unsalted butter plus 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, divided; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons milk; 1 large egg, beaten; 1/2 pound low-moisture mozzarella, diced; 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs; 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Here's a trick for turning a-la-minute risotto into a casserole-like make-ahead baked dish. Daniel Gritzer

Risotto is not exactly a make-ahead food—no matter what tricks you use, it always requires last-minute finishing right before serving. But by using the tricks we developed for rice balls, it's possible to turn a classically a-la-minute dish into a make-ahead baked casserole. Like baked mac-and-cheese, but with rice.

Why this recipe works:

Short-grain Asian rice (such as sushi rice) produces risotto with tender rice grains that hold their shape, retain a pleasantly chewy texture and don't become mushy.
This recipe provides instruction using either a pressure cooker (for fastest cooking time) or on the stovetop.
A bechamel sauce made with both chicken-stock and milk guarantees risotto that's molten, not dry, inside.
Gelatin-rich chicken stock helps the rice filling set when chilled, but melts again when heated.

Note: Short-grain Asian rice, such as sushi rice, produced the best results in our tests; however, you can use risotto rice such as arborio or carnaroli and still get good results. If your homemade chicken stock remains watery even when chilled, or if you are using store-bought chicken broth, be sure to add the unflavored gelatin for best results; if your homemade stock is gelatin-rich and solidifies when chilled, you do not need to add additional gelatin.

Forget Mac 'n' Cheese. Say Hello to Creamy, Cheesy Baked Risotto

Active: 45 mins

Total: 90 mins

Serves: 4 servings

Rate & Comment

2 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
1 packet (1/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin (only if using store-bought chicken broth or homemade broth that remains watery when chilled; see note)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup short-grain Asian rice (see note)
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 pinch saffron
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chilled unsalted butter plus 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, divided
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons milk
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 pound low-moisture mozzarella, diced
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

If using store-bought chicken broth or homemade broth that remains watery when chilled, place stock in a large liquid measuring cup and sprinkle gelatin over the top. Set aside.
If Making Rice in a Pressure Cooker: Heat oil in Pressure cooker over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until rice is evenly coated in oil and toasted but not browned, 3 minutes (rice grains should start to look like tiny ice cubes: translucent around the edges and cloudy in the center). Add wine and cook, stirring, until raw alcohol smell has cooked off and wine is almost fully evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in 1 1/2 cups broth and the saffron, scrape any grains of rice or pieces of onion from side of pressure cooker so that they are fully submerged; season with salt. Close pressure cooker and bring up to low pressure (10 psi on most units). Cook at low pressure for 6 minutes, then depressurize cooker either by running it under cold water if it is not electric, or using the steam-release valve if it is electric. Return to heat and stir rice until it forms the texture of a thick porridge. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly.
If Making Rice on Stovetop: Heat oil in large saucier pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until rice is evenly coated in oil and toasted but not browned, 3 minutes (rice grains should start to look like tiny ice cubes: translucent around the edges and cloudy in the center). Add wine and cook, stirring, until raw alcohol smell has cooked off and wine is almost fully evaporated, about 1 minute. Stir in 1 cup stock and saffron, scrape any grains of rice or pieces of onion from side of pressure cooker so that they are fully submerged; season with salt. When liquid has mostly evaporated, stir in 1/2 more cup stock and cook, stirring frequently, until liquid has mostly evaporated. Stir in water 1/4 cup at a time until rice is just tender and has formed the texture of a thick porridge. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, in a small saucier or saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon chilled butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Stir in flour to form a paste, lower heat to medium, and cook, stirring constantly, until raw-flour smell is gone but flour has not browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and remaining 1/2 cup stock until smooth. Bring to a simmer, and continue to cook, stirring, until bechamel sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool slightly, then whisk in egg.
Scrape rice into large mixing bowl along with bechamel sauce and stir until thoroughly incorporated. Fold in mozzarella cheese. Scrape risotto mixture into baking dish, cover with plastic and refrigerate until ready to re-heat.
Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, toss panko with remaining 4 tablespoons melted butter and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
About 1 hour before ready to serve, preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic from rice and spread bread crumbs in an even layer on top. Bake until bread crumbs are golden and rice is thoroughly heated through, about 30 minutes. Serve right away.

Special Equipment

Dutch oven or pressure cooker

This Recipe Appears In

Forget Mac 'n' Cheese. Say Hello to Creamy, Cheesy Baked Risotto

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
619	Calories
39g	Fat
42g	Carbs
23g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	619
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 39g	50%
Saturated Fat 19g	94%
Cholesterol 137mg	46%
Sodium 1152mg	50%
Total Carbohydrate 42g	15%
Dietary Fiber 2g	8%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 23g
Vitamin C 3mg	14%
Calcium 401mg	31%
Iron 2mg	13%
Potassium 362mg	8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.