Extra-Rampy Ramp Risotto Recipe (2024)

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An ultra-ramp-flavored, bright green risotto flavored with blanched ramp greens and whites, topped with herb ricotta and sautéed ramps.

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

Extra-Rampy Ramp Risotto Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

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Updated April 03, 2023

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Extra-Rampy Ramp Risotto Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Using exclusively ramps instead of pairing them with other alliums dials up the ramp flavor.
  • Blanching the ramps before puréeing them creates a nearly neon-green puree that boasts intensely fresh ramp flavor, and stays bright even when stirred into your risotto.

The great thing about ramps is that unlike, say, garlic, they can give you all that awesome sweet onion-y flavor without leaving your breath smelling like garlic.

I mean, theydoleave your breath smelling like ramps, but that's a much finer, rarer thing to smell like. People will literally*wantyou to breathe into their face after eating a bowl full of this extra-ramp-y ramp risotto. I've tested it out on both my dogs and have the data to prove it.

*Not literally. Or figuratively, even. They will not want you breathing in their face at all.

What's the secret to getting your risotto extra ramp-y?Just triple up the ramps. Normally I start my risotto with garlic and shallots cooked in butter and oil. In this case, I completely replace all aromatics with ramps. Ramp whites, to be precise, which stand up better to long cooking than ramp greens do.

Once the whites are cooked down, I toast my rice in the same butter before adding some wine and stock. In this case, I cooked my risotto the traditional way, adding stock in batches and stirring with a wooden spoon as I went. You could also cook it using myno-stir technique,which works marvelously, if I do say so myself.

So how do you incorporate that fresh, grassy ramp green flavor? Easy:as a green purée. By blanching the greens in boiling water for about 30 seconds, you destroy the enzymes that cause them to brown when they are subsequently pureed and exposed to oxygen. The result is a nearly neon-green puree that boasts intensely fresh ramp flavor, and stays bright even when stirred into your risotto.

All it takes from there are a few finishing touches. Some parmesan cheese to add richness and depth, some sautéed ramps to top it off, a bit of lemon zest and juice to brighten the flavor, and a dollop of herb-flavored ricotta cheese to enrich the whole dish. Youcoulduse some raw ramp greens in your ricotta or stirred into the risotto to finish, but there's a reason you don't see raw ramps too often:They don't taste very good. You're better off going with chives.

May 2013

Recipe Details

Extra-Rampy Ramp Risotto

Active30 mins

Total30 mins

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh ricotta cheese, preferablyhomemade

  • 2 tablespoons chopped freshchives

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 24 ramps, rinsed and trimmed

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 cup dry white wine

  • 5 cups vegetable stock or water, divided

  • 1 1/2 cups (about 13 1/2 ounces) risotto-style rice (see note)

  • 2 ounces finely grated parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)

  • 1 teaspoon grated zest and 1 teaspoon juice from 1 lemon

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, combine ricotta with half of chives and half of parsley in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

  2. Set aside 8 ramps. Divide remaining ramps into whites and greens. Thinly slice whites and set aside. Blanch greens in boiling water until bright green, about 45 seconds. Transfer to a fine mesh strainer and run under cold water until completely chilled. Transfer to a blender. Blend on high speed, adding water as necessary, until a smooth, bright green puree is formed. Set aside.

  3. Heat 4 tablespoons butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until foaming subsides. Add chopped ramp whites and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring and tossing frequently until all liquid is evaporated, fat is bubbling, and rice has begun to take on a pale golden blond color and nutty aroma, about 3 minutes.

  4. Add wine and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until mostly absorbed. Add half of stock and cook, stirring occasionally, until mostly absorbed. Add 2 more cups stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring until mostly absorbed after each addition, until rice is nearly done but still slightly chalky in center. Remove from heat and set aside.

  5. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until foaming subsides. Add reserved ramps and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned and tender. Transfer to a large plate.

  6. Return risotto to heat and add remaining half cup stock, parmesan cheese, lemon zest and juice, and ramp green puree. Cook, stirring constantly, until rice is cooked through and risotto is very creamy and loose. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in remaining parsley and chives.

    Extra-Rampy Ramp Risotto Recipe (3)

  7. Serve risotto in warm bowls, topped with sautéed ramps and herb ricotta. Serve immediately.

Notes

I prefer using Carnaroli rice for its slightly longer grains and firmer texture. Feel free to use any risotto-style rice like Arborio or Vailone Nano.

  • Gluten-free Mains
  • Vegetarian Mains
  • Stovetop
  • Ricotta
  • White Rice
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
531Calories
31g Fat
47g Carbs
14g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories531
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g40%
Saturated Fat 16g78%
Cholesterol 68mg23%
Sodium 738mg32%
Total Carbohydrate 47g17%
Dietary Fiber 5g17%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 35mg177%
Calcium 350mg27%
Iron 3mg17%
Potassium 673mg14%
*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.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Extra-Rampy Ramp Risotto Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to a good risotto? ›

Top 10 Tips for a Great Risotto
  • Always use warm stock. ...
  • Use a wide pan. ...
  • Use Arborio rice. ...
  • Toast the rice. ...
  • Deglaze with wine. ...
  • Watch your time. ...
  • Stir, but not too much. ...
  • Add the stock in small increments.
Feb 19, 2021

How do you elevate risotto? ›

Butter: A generous amount of butter at the end adds more creamy texture and rich flavor. Parmesan cheese: You've come this far. Don't shortchange the flavor of your risotto by using anything other than freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Chives: Chives cut through the richness and add visual appeal, too.

What can I add to risotto to make it taste better? ›

onion / shallots and garlic, to give a tasty base. some kind of vegetable to flavour the risotto – this time I used mushrooms, but as mentioned, you can use pretty much any veg you like. a splash of white wine, sometimes…

How do you upgrade risotto? ›

7 Additions That Make Risotto a Complete Meal
  1. Roasted Shrimp. ...
  2. Beans. ...
  3. Crispy Chicken Thighs. ...
  4. Cooked Sausage. ...
  5. Fried or Poached Eggs. ...
  6. Ricotta. ...
  7. Seared Scallops.

How do restaurants make risotto so creamy? ›

The stock is added a little bit at a time and should be fully absorbed into the rice before more stock is added. This process can take up to 45 minutes and will result in a delicious creamy mixture of al dente rice.

How do restaurants get risotto so fast? ›

The key, instead, is to undercook the risotto and cool it rapidly to prevent that rice from overcooking, so you can easily finish cooking it later.

What is Gordon Ramsay's recipe for risotto? ›

ingredients
  1. 1 large shallot, chopped finely.
  2. 4 tablespoons olive oil.
  3. 8 ounces baby portabella mushrooms, sliced.
  4. 10 ounces arborio rice.
  5. 12 cup dry white wine.
  6. 4 cups low sodium chicken broth.
  7. 8 ounces plum tomatoes, skinned, seeded and finely chopped.
  8. 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped.

How to pimp risotto? ›

Risotto can be flavored in many ways, with ingredients like Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, and truffles commonly used to add depth and complexity to the dish. Because of the mild flavor, it can even be customized to be a dessert with ingredients like chocolate, bananas, or caramel.

Why do you put vinegar in risotto? ›

Try adding sherry vinegar for mushroom risotto, white or red wine vinegar in place of white or red wine, or even rice or apple cider vinegar to boost the taste in asparagus risotto. Just be sure not to overdo it. A little vinegar goes a long way — remember, you're looking for balance, not a sour, overpowering tang.

Should you constantly stir risotto? ›

When cooking risotto on a stovetop, you're required to periodically stir it to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Some people, however, stir it too frequently. This adds air into the risotto, cooling it down and making it gluey.

What is the most famous risotto? ›

Risotto alla Milanese is a classic dish from the Lombardy region of northern Italy. It's said to have come about in the mid-1800s, when a team of glassmakers took some of the saffron they were using to color the stained glass windows in Milan's Duomo cathedral and added it to the risotto being served at dinner.

What is the best risotto in the world? ›

Saffron risotto is a Ticino specialty, made with Swiss saffron that is grown in the canton of Valais. This hand-picked, dark red saffron is one of the best in the world, and it is often referred to as red gold.

When to add butter to risotto? ›

Remove the pan from the heat, add 1 knob of butter and the Parmesan, then stir well. Place a lid on the pan and allow to sit for 2 minutes – this is the most important part of making the perfect risotto, as this is when it becomes outrageously creamy and oozy like it should be.

What is the best broth for risotto? ›

I prefer the flavor of chicken broth or stock in risotto. If you're vegetarian, vegetable broth or stock will be just fine. I use regular broth for this recipe and not low-sodium, if you use low sodium just be sure to taste test and add more salt at the end as needed.

Why do you add stock slowly to risotto? ›

Why do you add stock slowly to risotto? Adding the stock gradually means you can ensure you get the right al dente texture and won't accidentally add too much stock. Adding the stock slowly and stirring also rubs the grains of rice together, and as the starch gets rubbed off it thickens the sauce.

What is the key to creamy risotto? ›

Arborio rice is the key to making a creamy pot of risotto. It's firm, chewy, and blends especially well with other ingredients such as the stock and the butter. However, if you don't seem to have arborio on hand, Carnaroli or Maratelli are fitting substitutes.

What are the rules when preparing risotto? ›

Risotto rules: how to cook the perfect risotto
  1. Choose the right rice. There are different types of traditional risotto rice. ...
  2. 2. ... and the right amount. ...
  3. Use hot stock. ...
  4. Measure your stock. ...
  5. Add your stock little and often. ...
  6. Let it rest. ...
  7. Leave a little bite. ...
  8. Consistency is key.

What is most important when making risotto rice or technique? ›

The factors that determine success are just two, namely the proper type of rice, and a rich and tasty broth. Cooking those two together by applying some simple techniques is all you need for getting a great risotto.

References

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