Quick question re: risotto!

[Doodledumdums]

I am trying to teach myself to cook healthy meals from scratch, so have been following lots of new recipes recently. Tomorrow I am planning on making a butternut squash risotto, and the recipe says to use risotto rice. Is this imperative? I have made a risotto before and did use proper risotto rice, but i've got loads of long grain white rice in my cupboard, and I don't want to spend extra money on risotto rice if it isn't really necessary!

Can anyone help?!

TIA! (smile)

I think you need to use the proper stuff tbh, it's the way it releases its starch that gives you a really creamy risotto. You could always try it, though...

Call it a butternut squash pilaf instead

You can make a perfectly nice rice dish with it, but it won't be a risotto if you do, sorry. Strictly you need carnaroli for risotto with meat, and arborio for risotto without, but either will be fine. You don't get anything like the right consistency with long grain or anything else.
Also, only stir in one direction!

It will be nicer with the right rice but you can use normal rice and follow the recipe and it will still be nice, just less creamy.

Thank you for your replies

So the consensus really is that I should get the risotto rice. This is a vegetarian risotto so I think I will get arborio...though I am tempted to add chicken as the recipe seems a bit bland as is...maybe I will make it once and see if it needs anything extra.

Thank you for your help! Hoping for a yummy success, last time I made a risotto I remember it being really yummy, but quite time consuming, so hopefully my 8mo will be on his best behaviour tomorrow and let Mummy do some cooking!

toast the grains off in some oil with any garlic/onions/whatever,before adding the stock or whatever you're using, it makes it absorb better.

Don't know what your recipe says but I always roast butternut squash before adding it to the risotto - think it helps boost the flavour

crisp up some bacon and sprinkle onbthd top for the meat eaters yum yum

Thanks for the tips I am looking forward to tomorrow's dinner already! Yum yum!

Just wanted to let you all know that the risotto was really nice! Big hit with my DH and my 8mo! Yum yum. Will definitely make that again soon. I can see risotto being a frequent new food in our house! Very glad I used the proper rice, it was delicious! So stuffed now that I need a lie down and a nap!

The hairy bikers do a great spicy pork and rice if you want to use your rice up. Pork loin chopped into little pieces, bit of chorizo, peppers, green beans, onion and garlic all lightly fried then put in chicken stock and leave to absorb the liquid.
Takes about half an hour and is about 350cals per portion. If you can manage to only eat one. I ate half a panful.

Oooh that sounds yummy! And sounds like it would work on my slimming world diet too which is a bonus! I will give it a go, thank you

get the hairy dieters cook book OP lots of simple healthy recipes. Its even got my DP cooking!

Yes actually someone recommended this to me the other day, so after two recommendations, I think I definitely shall get it!

Use long grain but add some unctiousness like creme fresh, dbl cream or philly so it is oozy.

Strictly you need carnaroli for risotto with meat, and arborio for risotto without

Well, bugger me, I never knew that! I suppose that makes linguistic sense but I had never twigged. I just use whichever is cheaper whatever I'm putting in my risotto.

yes, they are slightly different in consistency and suit differently, but I would imagine most people would not notice the difference. I could never be arsed to keep two in!

You learn something new every day .

Use long grain but add some unctiousness like creme fresh, dbl cream or philly so it is oozy.

That would not even be in the ballpark of risotto!

Use long grain but add some unctiousness like creme fresh, dbl cream or philly so it is oozy.

That would not even be in the ballpark of risotto!

Nope. But it's yummy all the same.