Risotto with radicchio is one of the greatest dishes in the Verona Province.  Today we are proposing it in combination with other typical products from the area, such as Monte Veronese cheese and our Nini wine made with the Queen of the Veronese grapes,  the Corvina.

The red radicchio of Verona has a characteristic elongated oval shape and crunchy leaves of a beautiful deep red colour and a slightly bitter taste. It is called “the red gold of the lowlands” as it is mainly cultivated in the lower Veneto area, where the conformation of the land and the climatic conditions  allow it to ripen perfectly.

Perfect for salads, appetisers, hot and cold side dishes and it is often used in the preparation of risotto. Today’s recipe has an extra something at the end of the cooking, Monte Veronese cheese which is another excellent product from our territory, is added to the recipe.

Ingredients (for 4 persons)

• 320 gm of Vialone Nano Veronese IGP rice
• 650 ml of vegetable broth
• half an onion
• 300 gm of Verona IGP red radicchio
• 120 gm of Monte Veronese cheese
• 2 spoonfuls of EVO olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Radicchio risotto

Boil the vegetable broth and in the meantime wash the Verona red radicchio eliminating the external leaves and finely shredding the rest.  Wash the radicchio under cold running water then put it in a saucepan and fry it with the onion with 2 teaspoons of EVO olive oil. Add some salt and pepper and cook on a high flame for 5 minutes.

Slowly sprinkle the rice into the pan and toast it with a high flame for a few minutes.

It is now time to start the classic preparation of risotto: pour in the broth a little at a time, continue adding a ladleful when it absorbs.  Stir often so that the rice does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Cook like this for approximately 12 to 15 minutes (follow the cooking time of the rice on the label), until the rice turns soft and creamy.

Wine to pair with risotto

The best way to truly savour this dish is to pair it with a full bodied and fruity wine with the vinification of a tradition of the grapes left to rest on the marcs, of our San Fermo.   For example, just like a delicious glass of IGT Nini Red Verona wine. The colour and characteristic aroma is given by the ageing process in oak barrels for 3 to 6 months

Purchase your bottle of Nini directly in our Winery in Lazise, where you can also book your exclusive wine tasting experience.