Courtesy of Menegolli, this typical Veronese dish uses “Vialone nano” rice, grown in the lower Veronese area. This rice can absorb twice is weight in liquid and makes for a very creamy risotto. The dish tastes wonderful and contains some of the most popular flavours of Venetian cuisine.

 

Ingredients
  • 1 1/3 c. (320g) Vialone nano rice (Arborio rice will also work if Vialone nano is unavailable)
  • 1 1/2 c. (350ml) Amarone della Valpolicella red wine
  • 1/4 c. (60g) grated Monte Veronese cheese (or other ripened cow’s milk cheese such as Parmesan)
  • 1/4 c. (50g) minced shallot
  • 1/4 c. (60g) butter   
  • 1/4 c. (60g) ox marrow (or 1/4 c. butter if vegetarian)
  • 4 1/4 c. (1 l) beef broth (or vegetable broth if vegetarian)
  • Salt to taste

 

Directions
  1. In saucepan, melt 1/8 c. butter together with ox marrow.
  2. Add shallot and sauté with broth ladle.
  3. Add rice and toast well.
  4. Slowly add 1/4 c. wine at a time, stirring mixture with wooden spoon until wine is absorbed before adding rest of wine in 1/4 c. increments.
  5. Continue cooking risotto over low heat, adding broth one ladle at a time.
  6. When rice is al dente, turn off heat and, using wooden spoon, stir risotto with remaining butter and grated Monte Veronese cheese.
  7. Top with extra cheese and serve warm.