Why Giada De Laurentiis Spanks Her Risotto And You Should Too

Giada De Laurentiis, a renowned chef and television personality, employs a unique technique when preparing her risotto that has intrigued many cooking enthusiasts: spanking the risotto. This unconventional method involves gently tapping the risotto with a wooden spoon or spatula during the cooking process. The purpose behind this technique is to release the starches from the rice grains more effectively, resulting in a creamier consistency. The gentle agitation helps to break down the outer layer of the rice, allowing the starch to mix into the broth more thoroughly, enhancing the dish's texture without the need for excessive stirring. This method also prevents the rice from becoming too mushy or overcooked, which can often happen with constant stirring. By incorporating this technique into your cooking routine, you can achieve a perfectly creamy risotto that maintains the right balance of al dente rice and creamy sauce. Giada's approach to risotto reflects her Italian heritage and culinary expertise, offering a simple yet effective way to elevate this classic dish. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a kitchen novice, spanking your risotto can be a fun and rewarding way to enhance your cooking skills and impress your dinner guests.
Advertisement

More reasons to give your risotto a spank

In simple terms, spanked risotto is visually more appealing. By tapping your plate to create a perfectly even layer, you can showcase the creamy texture you've worked hard to achieve. Plus, you won't need to press or smooth the risotto with a spoon, avoiding those unwanted spatula marks. Our suggestion? Take a cue from many chefs and serve your risotto on a plain white plate for maximum effect. Using larger plates also provides more space for additional meal components like grilled scallops, roasted chicken, or fresh greens.

Additionally, spanked risotto offers a greater surface area for toppings. Rather than disrupting the balance of your risotto with too many extras, concentrate on enhancing the final dish. Consider drizzling some Calabrian chili oil or adding a spoonful of tomato-garlic confit on top of your risotto. You can never go wrong with an extra sprinkle of parmesan, a few grinds of fresh black pepper, or some decorative basil leaves.

Recommended

Next up

Advertisement