Italian Khichdi…

….. thats how this smooth, creamy and oozy dish - RISOTTO, is called at our place. :)

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ri·sot·to

n., pl. -tos.

A dish of rice cooked in broth, and served with grated cheese……

….. is what it actually is.

While you can use any kind of rice for making this wonderfully creamy khichdi textured Italian dish, it is advisable to use:Arborio, Carnaroli or Vialone Nano

Any other normal rice is not starchy enough as these and will not give you the creamy texture required for this dish.

While there are many theories to make a perfect risotto, there are certain key points which I tend to follow:

  • The right type of rice and
  • Decent hot stock. (Vegetable stock or chicken stock. You can also use hot water in the absence of stock)

Heat olive oil/butter and fry 1 big clove crushed garlic. Now add the arborio rice and salt to taste and keep stiring so that it fries lightly. After a minute or so it will turn slightly translucent.

DSC00616Now you have to add your stock/hot water to cook the rice. How you add the stock is a matter for debate. It’s ladled over the rice gradually (1/2-1 cup at a time) and lots of stirring takes place until the stock is absorbed OR adding all the stock at once and popping the whole thing in the oven or just cooking it gently over the stove.

Though the first method takes a bit more time and effort its highly recommended!! Make sure you do this on very slow heat so that the rice cooks evenly.

Keep adding ladlefuls of stock, stirring and almost massaging the creamy starch out of the rice, allowing each ladleful to be absorbed before adding the next. This will take around 15-20 minutes. Taste the rice — is it cooked? Carry on adding stock until the rice is soft but with a slight bite. Don’t forget to check the seasoning carefully.

Once the desired texture is reached remove from heat and add about 1/2-3/4 cup (as per the cheesy texture you desire) grated parmesan cheese, stir lightly, cover the pot and let it sit for a while till you grill the vegetables.

For the grilled vegetables, I chose mushroooms, zucchini, asparagus and bell peppers.

 

Marinate them in extra virgin olive oil, salt, chilli flakes and 2-3 cloves crushed garlic for atleast half an hour. Grill them for 10-15 mins till they are soft but still crunchy.

Serve these hot grilled vegetables on a platter of creamy, smooth risotto and top with some grated parmesan cheese!! :D

 

 

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July 8, 2007 | Filed Under Asparagus, Bell Peppers, Mushroom, Rice, Zucchini 

Comments

28 Responses to “Italian Khichdi…”

  1. musical on July 8th, 2007

    mushrooms, zucchini, peppers and asparagus :) Main aa jaun khane ke liye :-D

    it indeed is some kinda’ pulaav/khichdi. concept is the same, we humans just give it a different name :)

    hugs,
    musical.

    Jaldi se aaja!! ;)

  2. bee on July 8th, 2007

    >

    hmpphh. which arborio cartel has been brainwashing you?

    i will prove them wrong. soon. watch out. :twisted: :cool:

    Haha…. sure!! :) I have tried with normal rice myself a few times initially, but didnt quite enjoy the texture as with these. :)

  3. madhuli on July 8th, 2007

    That’s a very nice description of the recipe and lovely photos.I am going to try this. though I have to use some other variety of rice since these are not available here in India. I am going to try it with the Rosemata (red) rice. will let you know. Thanks.

    Which part of India are you in??? They are available in mumbai so should be in other metros as well. :)

  4. viji on July 8th, 2007

    Hei, coffee, very creative and something totally new for me :razz: Viji

    Try it Viji……. its delicious! :)

  5. Jyothsna on July 8th, 2007

    Thats a colourful Italian Kichidi! Can I use any starchy rice?

    Provided its starchy it should give you the creamy texture. :)

  6. archana on July 8th, 2007

    Hi Coffee, I liked the name of your recipe. Its totally new to me, but looks very tasty.Thanx for sharing :)

    Haha…. its actually RISOTTO okay……. we call it khichdi because of the similarity in texture. :)

  7. Asha on July 8th, 2007

    HeHe!! That’s what it really is.I tell my American friends that too.We have been cooking Kichadi for centuries and they call is Risotto in style,that’s all!:D
    Looks great Coffee girl.Throw some dal,it will be Bisi Bele Bhath!!
    Hope yu are having great day.Hugs:)

    OOOOOOO……. you are into turning it indian totally!!! :)

  8. trupti on July 8th, 2007

    oh my….I need to make this….the best risotto is made from the Carnaroli rice, in my opinion…and of course, loads of Parmesan cheese!

    what a great meal…..ah vastu toh hun khadej rakhu!
    :razz:

    I agree….. carnaroli is more starchy and creamier than Arborio…… but Arborio is more easily available here.
    You bet….. its something which you can keep eating. :)

  9. prema on July 8th, 2007

    The name sounds interesting coffee… and lovely presentation.

    Thanks prema. :)

  10. sra on July 8th, 2007

    There’s a box of arborio waiting in my kitchen - have been lazy to do something with it, now you’ve reminded me!

    Go and get it done quick ;)

  11. richa on July 8th, 2007

    ur colorful grilled veg & creamy risotto looks perfect :grin:
    khichadi, sure, that’s what i wud call it too :lol: :lol:

    Yeah…. its a nice combo. :)

  12. TheCooker on July 8th, 2007

    Love the name! Very apt.
    Your risotto looks great.
    Haven’t made it in a long time….

    Thanks TC. :)

  13. Swapna on July 9th, 2007

    Great recipe, Coffee..and a great choice of veggies too..

  14. Linda on July 9th, 2007

    I love risotto! What a great idea to serve with grilled veggies like that… looks grand :)

  15. Cynthia on July 9th, 2007

    I wish we got those varieties of rice here. I saw the arborio in small packet in the supermarket but it was ridiculously expensive. The method of adding liquid and stirring reminded me of the cornmeal cou cou I made.

    Your risotto looks very creamy and rich.


    Hey…. I can send it to you if you need. Just let me know. :)

  16. Suganya on July 9th, 2007

    Professional looking photo.. Coffee.. Way to go!

    OOHH!!!!! It has to be surely good when its coming from you ;)

  17. sharmi on July 10th, 2007

    those pics are so tempting. I have seen these in food network but was really scared to try. your pics make them so easy. nice recipe. but do they call it Khichdi in Itay:) jus kidding!

  18. usha on July 10th, 2007

    Hmmm Italian Kichidi … sounds great….Nice step by step demo …I got lot of information on varieties of rice,recipe too.Thanks.

  19. roopa on July 10th, 2007

    wow risoto looks great! what a name kichadi he he. loke the idea of grilling veges with it.

    you have been tagged check out my blog.

    Yes I ckeched. :) Will take it up soon! :)

  20. ramya on July 10th, 2007

    This looks intresting and looking good.

  21. Steamy Kitchen on July 10th, 2007

    A couple of weeks ago I wanted risotto so badly but didn’t have the right rice, so I made it with Japanese rice….not as starchy but it still came out really really good.

    OH! Whats this Japanese Rice now!!! Must go and check it out…. Thanks dear. :)

  22. Deepa on July 10th, 2007

    Very nice …Explanation great …. :smile:

  23. sukanya on July 11th, 2007

    This sounds different……Nice try….colourful dish…Loveit….

  24. Dilip on July 11th, 2007

    ~grin~..modern Kichadi for sure…i love the recipe/post…i am planning on making risotto, so will try the recipe…thanks ben


    Haha… yeah!!! Modern Khichdi!! :)

  25. Mallika on July 11th, 2007

    This looks so yummy and perfectly hearty for the cold summer we are having. I serve grilled vegetable risotto with some rocket salad and parmesan shavings. It’s delicious…

    Rocket salad and parmesan shavings souns really good to go with this!! :)

  26. Hema on July 12th, 2007

    Cant see your pictures, but that sure sounds colorful! will try visiting from another comp.

  27. Jyothi on July 12th, 2007

    Really lovely and might be very tasty too. Looks delicious and healthy too. Thanks for sharing.

  28. SeeC on July 13th, 2007

    Hi Coffee !

    Perfect Italiano :smile:

    Myself and my husband had been to Italy last month and just had Pizza Pizza Pizza and Pizza. We didnt’ want to try anything else as we were not aware of the Ingredients (we are veggies :sad: )
    Thanks for this wonderful recipe. I will try it my own and enjoy !!

    Have a nice day.

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