The Art of Risotto
/There are so many Italian dishes that I love, but few of them match the rich flavor of a properly made risotto. There are probably as many recipes for risotto as there are for pasta, but a few classics stand out: Risotto alla Milanese (with saffron), Risotto with Porcini (my favorite) or Seafood Risotto at M’tucci’s Italian and M’tucci’s Twenty-Five.
In most countries, rice is boiled or steamed, but to make risotto the rice is braised in fat, then hot broth is slowly added and stirred constantly, a process that can take an hour. The initial step is usually to glaze chopped onion in butter and/or oil, then the rice is added for the critical step of tostatura, which pan roasts the rice to seal in the starch. After that, risotto can be made with a variety of ingredients, such as seafood, vegetables, or porcini. Cooking rice in this manner allows the rice to absorb the flavors and gives it a texture not possible with boiled rice.
At M’tucci’s we use use Carnaroli exclusively, which is the most expensive of the risotto varieties, but also the variety that most chefs prefer for flavor.
Italy is Europe’s top rice producer and processes more than 1.3 million tons of rice each year, however they only consume about 100,000 tons, so they export 53% of their annual harvest (lucky for us). The risotto varieties of Arborio, Carnaroli, Baldo and Vialone Nano (grown near Venice where it’s used in soup), are classified as superfino and are the most popular. This year the pandemic has increased demand for rice and some risotto varieties have seen 20% price increases. (not lucky for us).
You can enjoy a risotto dinner this weekend with the Prep Kitchen meal kit. Chef Cory has created Risotto with Guanciale, Butternut Squash, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Mushrooms. It is paired with Prosciutto & Herbed-Ricotta Bruschetta for an appetizer, a Mista Salad and 4 Snickerdoodle Cookies. The rice is mostly cooked, so you won’t have to stand over the saucepan and stir for an hour. The finished dish is pictured below and, as always, there is a video where Cory gives you step - by - step instructions on putting your meal together. Call any location to order one. Only $42, it feeds four.
M’tucci’s Catering
As our dining rooms are now open, M’tucci’s Moderno’s and M’tucci’s Twenty-Five’s private dining rooms are available for groups for lunch and dinner (the size of the group will be determined by current NM Health Dept. orders). Our catering is also available for your office or party at home.
Meet our New Catering Manager Taña Martinez. Taña has been with M’tucci’s for more than six years, working in catering and as a bartender and server at M’tucci’s Italian. Quick with a smile and a “can do” attitude, she is the person to call for your catering needs. 505-350-0019 or email at: [email protected]
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
24 oz Hand Cut Porterhouse - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $35
Pan-Seared Rockfish - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichokes, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Cream Sauce $21
Sunday Only: Full Rack of Baby Back Ribs, Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach and House BBQ Sauce for $27
M’tucci’s Moderno
24 oz Hand Cut T-Bone, Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Italian Salsa Verde $33
Pan-Seared Yellowtail - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichokes, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Cream Sauce $21
Frutti di Mare Pasta with shrimp, mussels, white clams, baby clams, spicy marinara and a fettuccine pasta $19
Sunday Only: House Made Lasagna with Herbed Ricotta, Five Pork Bolognese and Roasted Tomato Marinara. $16 (it’s large)
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Pan-Seared Mexican Fluke, Grilled Escarole, Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Escarole, Seared Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce and Prosciutto Powder $24
Dry aged Beef Tenderloin, Mushroom Risotto al Salto, braised greens served with a house pancetta and vodka cream sauce $ 29
M’tucci’s @ Home
You will find our Artisan Bread and Ravioli Meals at your local Albertsons Market. Also, we have our Artisan Bread, Shrubs, cheese and cured meats in the deli counters at all M’tucci’s locations.
Just a Few More - Missing Italy
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
