PARMESAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat stock in saucepan over medium heat; keep at a low simmer.
• Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.
• Add shallots to oil, and cook, stirring, until translucent.
• Add rice, and cook, stirring, until rice begins to make a clicking sound like glass beads, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add wine to rice mixture.
• Cook, stirring, until wine is absorbed by rice.
• Using a ladle, add 3/4 cup hot stock to rice.
• Using a wooden spoon, stir rice constantly, at a moderate speed.
• When rice mixture is just thick enough to leave a clear wake behind the spoon, add another 3/4 cup stock.
• Continue adding stock 3/4 cup at a time and stirring constantly until rice is mostly translucent but still opaque in the center.
• Rice should be al dente but not crunchy.
• As rice nears doneness, watch carefully and add smaller amounts of liquid to make sure it does not overcook.
• The final mixture should be thick enough that grains of rice are suspended in liquid the consistency of heavy cream.
• It will thicken slightly when removed from heat.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in butter, parmesan cheese, and parsley; season with salt and pepper.
• Divide the mixture among four shallow bowls, mounding risotto in the center, and grate or shave additional parmesan over risotto.
• Serve immediately.