Risotto Milanese

You may have to excuse me for the teenybopper that is about to pop out during this post. You see, about 2 weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet one of my favorite bands. A band whose music makes me smile, makes me dance and brings back memories. A band who is as inspirational and caring as people as they are talented musicians.  A band I have been a fan of for, oh, the past 13 years or so. And what does a 26 year old food blogger do when she meets her favorite band and tries her best not to squeal like a girl half her age? Why she talks to them about food of course. And who would’ve thought that they would actually be interested.

If you’ve known me for a while or have been following my tweets on twitter then you already know that I’m talking about Hanson. I have been a fan since I was 13 years old and first heard Mmmbop.  This is why it should not come as a shock when I say that when I found out Hanson was coming to Seattle to promote their new album Shout it Out (awesome by the way, I challenge you not to like it) I jumped at the chance to buy tickets. Also, being a fan club member I was able to request a meet and greet with the band and actually got one.

I would be lying if I didn’t say that I was freaking out just a little bit when I got the e-mail telling me that I had won a meet  and greet. I mean after all, I have been a fan for 13 years. My initial thought of “Oh my word, what am I going to wear?”  Quickly turned into “what am I going to say?!” followed shortly by prayers of “pleasedontsoundlikeanidiot, pleasedontsoundlikeanidiot.”

But as it turns out I didn’t really need to be worried.

Isaac and Taylor Hanson

Zac Hanson

These pictures were taken during The Walk by my new friend Mandy McGee.

The meet and greet took place right before the concert. The butterflies were fluttering but I don’t think I looked like an idiot . I wasn’t able to  get up the courage to say anything for the first few minutes but when Taylor was signing my CD sleeve I figured, now is your chance just say something.  The first thing that came out was “What is your favorite dish?” This got him talking, and I suddenly felt very comfortable. Apparently Taylor Hanson is a foodie. Who knew? In addition to tiramisu, buratta (apparently I’m not the only one with a mozzarella obsession) Taylor said risotto. A perfectly cooked risotto with very simple ingredients to be more precise. I told him I had a food blog and would take a crack at it. My result? This Risotto Milanese with wine, chicken broth, onions, garlic and saffron. It’s simple, creamy oh so scrumptious.

Risotto Milanese

What's a food blogger do when she meets her favorite band? Ask them their favorite dish and then make it of course.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Dishes, Side Dishes

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 2 Servings

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Ingredients:

• ▢ 3 cups chicken broth
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon crushed saffron threads
• ▢ 3 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 1/2 medium yellow onion diced
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 cup Arborio rice
• ▢ 1/4 cup dry white wine
• ▢ 1/4 cup shredded Romano cheese
• ▢ 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

 

• ▢
  Heat chicken broth and saffron in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, but not boiling, reduce heat to low and allow to simmer.
• ▢
  In another large pot melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook until onions are soft, about 5 minutes.
• ▢
  Stir in rice just until it is coated in the butter. Do not brown. Pour in wine and cook until wine absorbs. Pour in one ladle of hot saffron chicken broth. Stir consistently until liquid is absorbed. Repeat process, one ladle at a time, until all broth has been absorbed by the rice.
• ▢
  Remove from heat and stir in remaining tablespoon of butter, Romano and Parmesan cheese until melted. Serve immediately.

Notes

Enjoy! Oh and by the way. The guys totally ROCKED the concert. And in case you were wondering no I did not faint, I did not cry, I did not throw my bra on stage. I did however sing along with every word to every song and danced my butt off. Seriously, I triple dog dare you to listen to this song and try not to dance.

Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!

Keywords: Food, hanson, isaac hanson, italian, Recipe, rice, risotto, risotto milanese, saffron, taylor hanson, zac hanson