Craving an authentic and indulgent Italian culinary experience? Discover 5 exclusive risotto recipes from my Nonna, dishes rich in flavor and emotion.
These traditional recipes, taken from my eBook, will guide you step-by-step to the Dolce Vita right in your kitchen.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Discover the Best of Italian Risotto, Nonna-Style
- 1. Autumn Risotto with Red Kuri Squash, Chanterelles, and Stracciatella
- 2. Milanese Risotto and Ossobuco – Tradition and Intense Flavors
- 3. Seafood Risotto with Scallops, Shrimp, and Crunchy Zucchini
- 4. Porcini Mushroom Risotto – The Essence of Italian Forests
- 5. Risotto Primavera – Explosion of Colors and Freshness
- Conclusion – Risotto Is Just the Beginning…

Authentic Risottos & Exclusive Nonna Recipes to Elevate Your Meals
Discover the secrets of my Italian risottos in “Four Seasons of Italian Flavours”: a comprehensive eBook featuring 70 authentic, quick, easy, and exclusive recipes. Learn how to elevate your everyday meals or family dinners with precise and accessible Nonna recipes.
📖 Discover My Italian Risotto CookbookDiscover the Best of Italian Risotto, Nonna-Style
Ah, risotto… This creamy, tender, and aromatic Italian dish instantly evokes generous family tables, Sunday dinners, and precise cooking gestures passed down through generations. At Casa Bandera, risotto is more than just a recipe—it’s a tribute to my Nonna, her well-kept secrets, and her passion for homemade Italian cooking made with love, patience, and simplicity.
These memories, the scent of golden garlic, white wine singing in the pan, and freshly grated Parmesan are what I aimed to capture in my eBook “Four Seasons of Italian Flavours”. Inside, you’ll find an exclusive selection of regional risottos: refined, sometimes bold, always authentic. Each dish tells a story of terroir, season, and emotion.
And the best part? All these recipes are within your reach. No need for fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients—just quality products, simple techniques, and the joy of cooking for your loved ones. Today, I’m giving you an exclusive preview of 5 of my favorite Italian risottos. A little taste of the dolce vita… just for you.
Whether you love earthy flavors, seafood, seasonal vegetables, or Milanese classics, you’ll find delicious inspiration to cook tonight. Get your Carnaroli rice ready, open a bottle of dry white wine… and let the magic happen.
1. Autumn Risotto with Red Kuri Squash, Chanterelles, and Stracciatella
When leaves fall and the air cools, nothing is more comforting than a creamy, generous autumn risotto. In this recipe, roasted red kuri squash brings a subtle, almost sweet softness that pairs beautifully with the earthy intensity of yellow chanterelles. Carnaroli rice, a star of Italian cuisine, is slowly cooked in hot broth infused with vegetal aromas and brightened by a splash of dry white wine.
A gently sautéed onion in extra virgin olive oil, a spoonful of fresh butter for binding, a handful of crunchy walnuts for contrast, and finally... a generous dollop of creamy stracciatella added at the end. The result? A vegetarian dish that is elegant and deeply flavorful, showcasing seasonal ingredients.
This signature recipe from my eBook “Four Seasons of Italian Flavors” is perfect for a cozy dinner with friends or a romantic meal. In the book, I guide you step-by-step with chef tips: how to cook the squash, when to add the wine to enhance mushroom aromas, and how to achieve perfectly al dente rice without sticking.
To complete the experience, serve with a glass of chilled Italian wine and some freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley. A little gem of Italian autumn cuisine... right at your fingertips.
2. Milanese Risotto and Ossobuco – Tradition and Intense Flavors
This iconic Milanese duo pairs saffron risotto with slowly braised ossobuco to reveal tender, melt-in-your-mouth veal shanks. This sophisticated dish is surprisingly accessible thanks to my eBook, which reveals Nonna’s secret recipe, combining simplicity and exceptional taste.
With saffron-scented broth and tender veal pieces, this risotto will delight lovers of traditional Italian cuisine.
3. Seafood Risotto with Scallops, Shrimp, and Crunchy Zucchini
Imagine a sea breeze, the scent of ocean brine and warm olive oil... This seafood risotto is a true gourmet getaway to the Italian coast. Tender scallops, sautéed shrimp, and a touch of golden saffron come together to create a refined, light, and fresh dish.
What makes this recipe special? A base of Carnaroli rice slowly cooked with sweet onion, then deglazed with white wine and enriched with homemade hot broth. The briny flavors are balanced by the softness of butter, while finely fried zucchini on top adds a crispy and original texture that makes all the difference.
No cream needed: here, the creaminess comes naturally from perfect cooking, quality rice, and the delicate blend of seafood and fat. In my eBook "Four Seasons of Italian Flavours", I reveal how to achieve this perfect texture without masking the marine aromas.
This is one of the most loved recipes by my gourmet readers, perfect for a chic, stress-free dinner. In the book, you’ll also learn how to select your seafood, the best timing to add it to avoid rubbery texture, and how to enhance the dish with a squeeze of lemon, a hint of parsley, and a dry Italian white wine.
A classic Italian seafood risotto, elegantly and simply revisited… for lovers of fresh and marine flavors.
4. Porcini Mushroom Risotto – The Essence of Italian Forests
Porcini mushroom risotto is an ode to the forest and its powerful aromas. Its preparation requires special attention, which I guide you through with detailed and illustrated instructions in my eBook. The result: a dish with woody notes and a melting texture that transports you to Tuscany or Piedmont.
This risotto is perfect for an autumn dinner or a festive meal, paired with a glass of Italian red wine recommended in my guide.
5. Risotto Primavera – Explosion of Colors and Freshness
Risotto primavera is a true celebration of spring, a season synonymous with renewal and vibrant colors on the plate. Crunchy fresh asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes infused with oil, a touch of creamy stracciatella, all enhanced by a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil: ingredients that embody the freshness and lightness of Mediterranean cuisine.
In this recipe, Carnaroli or Arborio rice is slowly simmered in a fragrant broth, deglazed with white wine, then enriched with butter and grated Parmesan for a perfectly creamy and silky texture. I guide you step-by-step to cook each vegetable carefully, preserving their texture and flavors: just-crisp asparagus, garlic, and onion for softness and depth.
For a savory twist and a slight smoky note, thin slices of speck are added, bringing an authentic Italian touch. A sprinkle of oregano powder enhances the dish, boosting aromas without overpowering them. Salt, pepper, and a bit of patience are your best allies to succeed with this bright and refined dish.
In my eBook, I share all my secrets to master this spring risotto—a healthy, delicious, and quick-to-make dish. It's ideal for a light lunch or a dinner that will delight your guests while celebrating the generosity of fresh seasonal produce. This light and flavorful dish is perfect for a sunny lunch break or an elegant dinner with friends.
You’ll find all the tips to perfectly balance the crunchy textures of vegetables with the creamy risotto, while enhancing each ingredient with simple yet effective flavor pairings.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, this recipe will quickly become a staple on your spring table, best enjoyed with a glass of chilled white wine to extend the season’s sweetness.
Conclusion – Risotto Is Just the Beginning…
These five recipes are just a glimpse of what you’ll find in my eBook "Four Seasons of Italian Flavours". This book is a true culinary travel journal across Italy, designed for food lovers, curious beginners, and anyone wanting to rediscover the flavors of childhood or vacation memories.
Each recipe is described with precision, love, and clarity, accompanied by cooking tips, Italian wine pairings, and advice on adapting ingredients based on what you have in your kitchen.
But that’s not all: you’ll also find recipes for homemade fresh pasta, delicious antipasti, cloud-like gnocchi, comforting second courses, generous desserts… All in a practical format designed for easy consultation in the kitchen, on tablet or phone, with beautiful illustrations on every page.
This book is more than just a collection of recipes: it’s an immersion into the Italian way of life. It will help you transform a simple meal into a true moment of sharing, warmth, and passion. A sunny Sunday lunch. A dinner with friends. A romantic meal. It all starts with a recipe, a scent, a memory.
So, ready to invite a little Italy into your kitchen? My eBook is available for instant download, no sign-up required, and accessible for life. Just follow the steps… and enjoy!