Chicche are a tasty alternative to the classic Gnocchi, a typical, traditional Italian dish. They were created from the original recipe that combines selected potatoes and soft flour, but the difference is they only take 2 minutes to cook. Their small, round shape combined with the soft consistency of their dough make them ideal for delicate condiments such as shrimp and courgettes or vegetable sauces, but also for ones with a more distinct flavour like seafood sauces.
This rice is now used widely in the north east of Italy to prepare typical dishes due to the age-old culinary traditions of the Veneto and Mantua regions. Indeed, it brings out the best in the traditional flavours of those regions, making the simple ingredients that typify these areas, such as pumpkin, snails and game, into the ideal seasoning for a wide variety of risottos. The rounded grains of Vialone Nano mean that this rice is excellent for absorbing seasoning and produces an enviable yield when cooked which is why it can be used in numerous ways and combinations. Particularly suited for risottos.
Hints
For making risottos, use of a mild flavoured olive oil is recommended so it does not mask the very delicate flavour of the rice. The best solution is a combination of oil and butter because the oil raises the so-called "smoke point" of the butter and stops the small quantity of whey in the butter from burning.
Vacuum-packing prevents the rice from changing and preserves the colour, flavour and nutritional values of the grain.