I’ve searched high and low across Taichung for suitable risotto rice. Normal short grain rice is just not suitable as it goes soft before absorbing much liquid, thus removing the characteristic ‘al dente’ texture of a good risotto.
Any sources? I don’t want any substitutes; I would like to cook a real, genuine Italian meal for some Taiwanese friends and I have ever other ingredient dealt with except the rice (and an oven).
[quote=“llary”]I’ve searched high and low across Taichung for suitable risotto rice. Normal short grain rice is just not suitable as it goes soft before absorbing much liquid, thus removing the characteristic ‘al dente’ texture of a good risotto.
Any sources? I don’t want any substitutes; I would like to cook a real, genuine Italian meal for some Taiwanese friends and I have ever other ingredient dealt with except the rice (and an oven).[/quote]Only thing I can think of is to ask the folks at La Bodega what kind of rice they use for their paella.
La Bodega
No 3, Jingcheng 2nd St (off Jingcheng Rd)
精誠二街3號
Tel. 04 2310 7006
I am pretty sure I saw some arborio the other day, but that was a while ago and at the time my own supply hadn’t been eaten by bloody 米蟲 or whatever they were.
Aah, maybe it was the supermarket in Mitsukoshi… at least that is my best guess at the moment.
Yup… I was thinking of Sogo/Mitsukoshi… apparently there’s also a Japanese supermarket near me that sells all this crazy foreigner crap. I’ll let you know if I come up with anything.
Cheer guys.
[quote=“rice_t”]I am pretty sure I saw some arborio the other day, but that was a while ago and at the time my own supply hadn’t been eaten by bloody 米蟲 or whatever they were.
Aah, maybe it was the supermarket in Mitsukoshi… at least that is my best guess at the moment.[/quote]
Went to Mitsukoshi yesterday, they have Arborio. That is they have “cheap” Arborio from Australia and expensice Arborio from Italy for 400+ the kilo. I think the Australian was about 250 for 1.5 kilo and 150 for .75.
Prices are approximations…
Does anyone have any experience with Australian Arborio compared to Italian one??
Awesome… thanks a lot!
I found something at a local Japanese convenience store that’s a medium grain and looks very very similar to Carnaroli. I’ll give it a try on my own one night and see how it comes out…
Relieved to find out it’s not uber-expensive too…
[quote=“rice_t”]Went to Mitsukoshi yesterday, they have Arborio. That is they have “cheap” Arborio from Australia and expensice Arborio from Italy for 400+ the kilo. I think the Australian was about 250 for 1.5 kilo and 150 for .75.
Prices are approximations…
Does anyone have any experience with Australian Arborio compared to Italian one??[/quote]
Llary wrote:
[quote]
OK, so I picked up 1.5kg of the Australian Arborio from Mitsukoshi for NT$240. Considering that I can get 500g Italian Arborio for NT$40 back in the UK it’s kind of pricey but still not as bad as I had feared.
I’ve tried loads of different risotto rice varieties and I really don’t think there’s any difference in quality - just a slightly different texture if cooked properly. Personally I prefer Italian Carnaroli because it has a firmer bite even after absorbing a lot of liquid but whenever I cook for someone they usually prefer the creamier Arborio.
I’ve given this stuff a test drive and can’t taste any difference whatsoever with the ‘high quality’ Italian rice from back home. So we’re good to go! Who wants risotto??
(PS: there’s a Japanese store on Dong Shan rd. Sec. 2 selling fresh basil for NT$10 a pack and Save & Safe / RT Mart are both selling reasonably priced button mushrooms and tomatoes - I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the price of 'shrooms and toms out here!)
[quote=“rice_t”]Went to Mitsukoshi yesterday, they have Arborio. That is they have “cheap” Arborio from Australia and expensice Arborio from Italy for 400+ the kilo. I think the Australian was about 250 for 1.5 kilo and 150 for .75.
Prices are approximations…
Does anyone have any experience with Australian Arborio compared to Italian one??[/quote]