Can I Make The Orzottos Without Alcohol?

Our answer

Nigella's recipes for orzotto use pearl barley rather than risotto rice. Orzo is the Italian word for barley, hence the name "orzotto". There are several recipes including Saffron Orzotto (from NIGELLISSIMA) and the Butternut and Beetroot Orzottos (from NIGELLA CHRISTMAS). The dishes all use dry white vermouth or white wine as this adds flavour and also a slight acidity that helps to cut through the richness of the orzotto.

If you want to avoid alcohol then you can replace the white vermouth or wine with extra stock or broth. When you have finished cooking the orzotto you could add a small squeeze of lemon juice to help to lift the flavours a little. We would suggest tasting the orzotto first and, if you feel that the orzotto needs it, add the lemon a few drops at a time until it suits your own taste.