Carrot Risotto with Chile Crisp Recipe
This vibrant Carrot Risotto with Chile Crisp is a delightful twist on the classic Italian comfort dish. Roasted carrots tossed with spicy chile crisp add a smoky heat that contrasts beautifully with the creamy, buttery risotto infused with fresh carrots, garlic, shallots, and a hint of coriander. Finished with Parmesan cheese for richness and served with extra chile crisp for a punch of flavor, this recipe is perfect for a sophisticated yet cozy meal.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Roasted Carrots
- 1 1/2 pounds carrots, sliced diagonally about 1/4-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons store-bought or homemade chile crisp
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Carrot Risotto
- 2 1/4 pounds carrots, peeled (¾ pound roughly chopped for processing; remaining sliced for roasting)
- 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 1/2 cups (10 ounces) arborio rice
- 2 1/2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 1/4 cups, packed), plus more for serving (optional)
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Oven and Carrots: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Roughly chop ¾ pound of carrots and pulse them in a food processor until very finely chopped into confetti-like pieces no larger than 1/4 inch (about 2 cups). Set aside. Slice the remaining 1 1/2 pounds of carrots diagonally about 1/4-inch thick and place on a baking sheet. Toss these sliced carrots with 2 tablespoons of chile crisp, seasoning generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Bake until tender, about 15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Warm the Stock: Pour the chicken or vegetable stock into a lidded saucepan and warm over low heat, keeping it hot but not boiling as you prepare the risotto.
- Sauté Aromatics and Carrots: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped carrots, minced shallot, chopped garlic, and ground coriander. Season generously with salt and pepper, and cook while stirring frequently until aromatic, roughly 2 minutes.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly evaporated, about 3 minutes. This step infuses the base flavors and prepares the pan for the rice.
- Cook the Rice: Stir the arborio rice into the carrot mixture, reduce heat to medium, and cook while stirring for 2 minutes to lightly toast the grains. Add 1 cup of the warmed stock and stir frequently until the liquid is almost absorbed, about 3 minutes. Repeat this process, adding stock 1 cup at a time and stirring until absorbed, a total of 5 times, until the rice is tender and creamy.
- Finish the Risotto: Once all the stock has been absorbed and the rice is creamy and tender, stir in the finely grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir vigorously until the risotto is silky, smooth, and luxurious. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Spoon the risotto into shallow bowls or plates. Top with the roasted carrots and drizzle with additional chile crisp for an extra kick if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- If your chile crisp is thick with crunchy bits, you can thin it with a little neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil for easier tossing.
- Use warm stock throughout the cooking process to ensure even cooking and creamy risotto texture.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
- Parmesan cheese adds richness but can be omitted or substituted with a vegan cheese for dietary preferences.
- Stirring constantly is key to achieving the creamy texture characteristic of risotto.
- Leftover risotto can be refrigerated and reheated gently with a splash of stock or water.
Keywords: Carrot Risotto, Chile Crisp, Italian Risotto, Vegetarian Risotto, Comfort Food, Roasted Carrots, Arborio Rice