In the spring of 1972, Arduina Rosetti teaches her young neighbor, Alan, to make risotto as prepared in her Italian village before she emigrated to California in 1917. As they go through Arduina's recipe, she quizzes Alan on his sudden decision not to return to university. Alan, on the other hand, discovers that Arduina, now 82, has become romantically involved with a 70 year-old man (Henry) during Alan's freshman year, and even plans to travel with him to Italy to meet her family who she has not seen since she emigrated. Alan is supportive and enthused, so she impulsively invites Henry to share risotto for lunch. Henry and Alan do not find much common ground, and Alan leaves under a cloud.  

Two weeks later. Henry has died of a sudden heart attack, and Arduina has not been seen in public for the several days since his funeral. Alan stops by to offer food, and falls into trying to rekindle Arduina's will to live. They share secrets about those they love, stories that reveal the people they are (and have been), and thoughts about how to approach the next steps in their very different lives.
 

Risotto is first in a series of plays following the life of Alan Cravick. The plays can stand alone, but they are linked by cross references and by Alan's progression as he grows from 19 to 46. The second play is Fried Prawns (set in 1978) and the last is Soup (1998).