Italian

Risi e Bisi

Risi e bisi is a Venetian rice and pea dish cooked with stock, butter, and Parmesan until creamy but still spoonable.

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Risi e Bisi

40 mintotal

Prep 10 min · Cook 30 min

Serves
2
Difficulty
Easy
Spice
None

Ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

No inactive time; keep the stock hot before adding it so the rice cooks evenly and the peas stay bright.

Method

  1. Keep the measured water hot in a small pan.

  2. Heat olive oil and half the butter in a pot. Add onion and cook until soft.

  3. Add rice and stir for 1 minute until lightly glossy.

    1 min

  4. Add green peas, salt, and one ladle of hot water. Stir and simmer.

  5. Continue adding hot water gradually, stirring often, until the rice is tender and the dish remains slightly brothy.

  6. Turn off the heat. Stir in remaining butter, Parmesan Cheese, black pepper powder, and parsley.

  7. Serve hot while soft and slightly flowing.

How to tell it's done

The dish should be softer and looser than risotto, with tender rice and sweet peas.

Nutrition

Per serving, from 2 servings.

539kcal

Where the calories come from

  • Protein13 g10%
  • Carbohydrate70.6 g52%
  • Fat22.6 g38%
Sugars
5.4 g
Saturated fat
10.2 g
Fibre
5.7 g
Sodium
1117 mg
Potassium
346 mg
Calcium
196 mg
Iron
2.1 mg

Estimated by calculation from the ingredient list, using USDA FoodData Central. Not a laboratory analysis.

Getting it right

Tip

Stop cooking while the rice still looks slightly loose; it thickens as it rests.

What to serve it with

Serve as a simple lunch, dinner, or side with sautéed vegetables.

Common mistakes

The rice is stiff like risotto or watery like soup.
Add hot stock gradually and stop when the grains are tender in a loose, creamy broth.

Substitutions

  • Do not cook it dry like pulao; Risi e Bisi should stay soft and slightly brothy.
  • Use frozen peas directly if fresh peas are unavailable.
  • Use less Parmesan Cheese for a lighter version, but the flavor will be less classic.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate risi e bisi for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with extra stock or water; freezing is not recommended because the rice softens.