Long Grain Rice (instead of Arborio Risotto Rice) for a risotto?

WantToBeSE

I have lots of long grain rice, and want to make a risotto this week. Will it make a huge difference if i use this instead of risotto rice?
Will i have to cook it differently?

Icey77

I've only had a risotto made with long grain rice once and i would not wish to repeat it, it was nasty!!!

wiogs

It will. Risotto rice is starchier and makes a more "sticky" risotto.

The long grain rice tends to stay as individual grains of rice and generally requires less cooking time.

WantToBeSE

Hmmm, OK. Looks like i'll be buying some arborio rice then!

[Deleted User]

If you only have long grain rice then aim for a more "paella" style dish (which is much less sticky).

If you want your risotto creamy as it is traditionally, then only arborio will give you that (unfortunately, given its price - personally, I only buy it when it's on offer).

I've always wondered if pudding rice would give a similar result but haven't plucked up the courage to try making a risotto with it It's much cheaper than arborio.

Seakay

or make a pilaf instead - or a pilau.

loads of recipes online, depends if you want it as a side dish or main dish what you add to it.

camelot1001

I once used pudding rice by mistake, it was halfway cooked when I realised. It was actually ok, just try to catch it before it 'blows'.

building_with_lego

Yes, pudding rice is acceptable in a pinch as it's so creamy- the texture of the actual grain isn't quite like Arborio though.

Just steer cleer of the long grain- use that for a biryani or paella-type dish instead!

Petlamb

In a bind, use pudding rice rather than long grain

hobbitfancier

I use pearl barley - 65c a bag rather than the €2 for the arborio rice and I thought it was fab!

kunekune22

Basically, you can make something yummy, but it won't be risotto. A dish of rice cooked with flavourings works whatever the rice is, but it comes out different. Yours will be a pilau, so it would be a good idea to check the methods used to cook a pilau/pilaf (both long grained rice dishes). What you're not going to get is the creaminess of a risotto, because long grained rice such as basmati behaves really differently from short grained rice like arborio (or pudding!).