Cover Francesco Fedrighi, Hunny Madu, and their daughter Mia Celine at her birthday party (Photo: @hunnymadu/Instagram)
Francesco Fedrighi, Hunny Madu, and their daughter Mia Celine at her birthday party (Photo: @hunnymadu/Instagram)
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Find out what the Italian chef would love to cook for his wife, Hunny Madu, this Valentine's Day
If you're not keen to brave the crowd on Valentine's Day, how about staying in and cooking a romantic dinner? With Valentine's Day happening tomorrow, Horizon Grill's chef Francesco Fedrighi has graciously shared his recipe if you're planning a date night at home.
Married to Malaysian host and emcee Hunny Madu, Fedrighi loves cooking for his family and sharing his passion for Italian cuisine with his children. Fedrighi shares a blended family with Hunny comprising two stepchildren, Eva and Adam, and one-year-old Mia, all of whom are big fans of his home cooking.
This year, Fedrighi's recipe of choice for February 14 is a classic saffron risotto.
See also: Valentine’s Day 2023: Guide to the best food gifts
Fedrighi and Hunny enjoy going on retreats around the country, especially Sarawak, to celebrate their love. If they happen to be home, Fedrighi opts to prepare meal for his wife; this year, he will be whipping up a dish called Risotto alla Milanese.
The vegetarian-friendly dish features high quality Italian parmesan and the medium-grained Italian carnaroli rice, which are readily available. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare. Pair it with a protein of your choice (we recommend a seafood dish) and a salad, and you're all set for a lovely meal for two.
"This is a dish prepared with saffron and gold leaves. Saffron is known as the gold of spices; at times, worth even more than gold itself! With this dish, it's like serving my wife with an expensive piece of gold jewellery."
Above The saffron risotto is the perfect show of love for your significant other (Photo: Banyan Tree Hotel)
The saffron risotto is the perfect show of love for your significant other (Photo: Banyan Tree Hotel)
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Saffron Risotto (Risotto alla Milanese)
Ingredients (makes four servings)
300g carnaroli rice
800g vegetable stock
150g Italian parmesan cheese
150g butter
0.4g Iranian saffron
4 gold leaves
Salt and pepper, as needed
Method
In a pan, start toasting the rice without any fat for few minutes.
Agitate with a spoon until the rice starts to release the starch, then gradually add hot vegetable stock and saffron. Continue stirring and cook for 15 minutes.
When rice is cooked, remove it from the fire and slowly add the butter. After few seconds, introduce grated parmesan cheese into the pan.
Mix the risotto fast to ensure that it is creamy. Season to your liking.
Once the ingredients are combined properly, serve the rice in the centre of the plate and add the gold leaf on top. Now, enjoy with your amore!
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Amanda is a KL-born and raised third culture kid, who lives to eat. If not found reading, writing for Tatler Dining, or snacking, she is most likely playing with her dog, Katsu, sourcing new Birkenstocks, or looking for a new restaurant to venture to.
Follow her on Instagram at @feedingamanda.
