Risotto Semplice

First, a bit of translation... Riso means “rice” in Italian. The suffix -otto can mean “small,” or “cute.” Put them together and you get risotto, a creamy rice-based dish that is possibly cute and definitely delicious. Informally, risotto has been affectionately known in culinary circles as a “labor of love” because of the high attention and large amount of time required to cook the rice—one ladle of broth at a time with constant stirring. 

Recognizing the deliciousness of risotto and desiring to make it as accessible as possible for our customers, we’re introducing Trader Joe’s Risotto Semplice—literally, “Simple Risotto.” It’s reminiscent of the famous risotto of Milan. Our supplier in Italy starts with carnaroli rice (a starchy, medium grain rice that is considered the best rice for risotto) and proceeds with a labor of love that includes sunflower & olive oils, onion, vegetable broth, saffron (characteristic of risotto alla Milanese), cultured butter, and cheese. The culmination is a truly comforting concoction of toothsome rice in a thick, pale yellow sauce that is buttery & cheesy, with a hint of saffron aroma & flavor. 

One of the best things about this labor of love is that we (and our supplier) did the labor, so you can do the loving—including how much you’ll love the fact that Risotto Semplice heats from frozen in the microwave in 4-6 minutes. And of course, you’ll love the fact that you can enjoy it as-is—or add meat, seafood, or vegetables to suit any eating occasion.