As an asparagus risotto suggests spring, so this mushroom risotto evokes autumn, when fragrant wild mushrooms, the damp earth still clinging to them, are brought by the basketful to market.
Today, with the profusion of wild and cultivated exotic mushrooms in the markets (at increasingly reasonable prices), this once elusively difficult Italian dish need not be reserved for dining out or a special occasion.
If you cannot find fresh exotic mushrooms in your market, plan ahead. Buy plain white mushrooms, place them in a basket, uncovered, on the kitchen counter, and allow them to dry out and darken a bit for three to four days. Their flavour and colour will intensify.
Ingredients
10 (315 gr) medium-large shiitake mushrooms
1 cup (60 ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil (sold by Import Partner Fine Food)
3 large garlic cloves, sliced
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
4 tbsp (60 gr) unsalted butter
1 cup (60 gr) chopped onion
1 cup (250 gr) Arborio rice (sold by Import Partner Chenab Impex)
5 cups (1.25 L) vegetable stock
1/3 cup (80 ml) dry white wine
Salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano (sold by Import Partner Fortune Gourmet)
Instructions
Remove and discard the stems from the mushrooms.
Slice the mushrooms.
Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet, add the mushrooms and garlic and sauté over high heat about 5 minutes, to sear the mushrooms.
Stir in the rice.
Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes until the rice is well coated with the butter and begins to whiten.
Have the stock barely simmering in another saucepan.
Add the wine to the rice, stir, then add 2 ladles of the hot stock.
Cook 3 minutes.
Stir in the mushrooms.
Continue adding stock, a couple of ladles at a time, stirring and adding more as the stock is absorbed by the rice.
Regulate the heat so the rice and stock cook at a steady simmer.
After about 15 minutes, the rice should have swelled and become somewhat tender but still a bit hard in the middle.
Continue adding stock for another few minutes, as needed until the rice is plump, offers only the slightest resistance to the bite, and there is just enough thickened, creamy, sauce-like broth to moisten the rice.
Stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter, season with salt and pepper, and serve with Parmesan cheese on the side.
Source: lifeinitaly
Get in touch with us today to order your favourite Italian Gourmet Food products from our import partners Fine Food, Chenab Impex, Fortune Gourmet Specialities, and Max Inc and get them home delivered.
Contact us at italicswineclub@indiaitaly.com or call at +91 9811392313 for more information, and to place your order, and get up to 25% discount.
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
CHECK OUT the PRODUCTS' LIST at THIS LINK and PLACE YOUR ORDER!