Here's Why Italians 'Spank' Their Risotto, According To Giada De Laurentiis

Anything you should know about Italian cooking, Giada De Laurentiis probably already knows. From pasta to pizza to lesser-known Italian dishes, De Laurentiis is an expert — and she's at it again with an unexpected risotto tip.

De Laurentiis' tip for risotto is unconventional, particularly because of what you have to do to the risotto to get it to plate as well as possible. Other food items — particularly baked goods — taste even better when you smash them, crush them, or drop them, so it might come as no shock that the same sort of trick can bolster up your risotto. According to De Laurentiis, this tip is beloved by professional chefs because it ensures a pretty plate of food every time. So if you want your risotto to look like it popped right out of your favorite cooking shows and into your own kitchen, heed De Laurentiis' advice. You'll be glad you did once you see how appetizing it looks.

Spanking is highly controversial, but when it comes to risotto, there's no doubt — spank away at it. Although "spanking" a rice dish may seem pretty silly, it's for a good reason.

Giada De Laurentiis has explained that tapping or "spanking" risotto after you plate it can help it look neater on the plate. Plate your risotto, then tap the bottom of the plate, right under where the risotto rests. The risotto should automatically spread out across the plate, creating a thinner layer across your plate instead of a large clump in one corner. Your risotto will be spread more evenly throughout your plate, and your spatula won't interfere in the plating process one bit. Once you're done "spanking," you can plate vegetables around it for a dinner that's as mouth-watering as it is aesthetically pleasing. "Hitting" your risotto probably never occurred to you, but next time you make risotto, give it a little tap. You'll love the way it looks. De Laurentiis is to thank for this small but powerful culinary gem, and we're so glad that she shared it with us.

"Spanking" your risotto isn't the only thing to keep in mind when you plate it. There are other ways to plate risotto that are just as stunning and still keep your risotto tasting incredible.

Giada De Laurentiis has also shared another out-of-the-box tip for plating risotto: serving it in "lemon cups." Risotto often has hints of citrus infused throughout, so serving the dish in a lemon just makes sense. If you'd rather dish your risotto up fruit-style than eat it off of a plate, simply take a large lemon and cut the top off of it. Then, using a grapefruit spoon, remove all of the fruit from inside the lemon. (Keep the lemon pulp and juice to use in other dishes or even to brighten up a glass of water.) Once you've hollowed out the lemon, add your risotto. You'll get a slight hint of lemon along with the rich, creamy risotto, and you'll also have a sophisticated "serving dish" to impress your guests. "Spank" your risotto when you plate it for the best presentation or try a new, different way to display your risotto.