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Gastrosex

Main, Italian

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Golden mushrooms, porcini stock and a loose, glossy finish that ripples on the plate.

Total
45 min
Hands-on
35 min
Skill
Medium
Serves
2
Cost for two
about $14
VegetarianGluten-free
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Risotto has a reputation for being fussy, but it is really just patience in a pot: you add hot stock a ladle at a time and stir until the rice releases its starch into a creamy sauce. Dried porcini give the stock a deep, almost meaty flavor, and searing the fresh mushrooms separately keeps them golden instead of soggy.

Easy mushroom risotto in under 30 minutes Jamie Oliver on YouTube

Video by Jamie Oliver, embedded from YouTube. Their method may differ slightly from ours.

Ingredients

Serves

Method

  1. Soak the porcini in 250 ml (1 cup) hot water for 15 minutes. Lift them out, chop finely, and pour the soaking liquid into the stock, leaving any grit behind. Keep the stock at a bare simmer in a small pot.

  2. In a wide pan, heat the oil over high heat. Sear the fresh mushrooms in a single layer (in two batches if needed) without stirring for 2 minutes, then toss until golden, 5–6 minutes total. Season with salt and set aside.

  3. Lower the heat to medium. Melt 1 tbsp butter in the same pan and cook the onion until soft but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic for 30 seconds.

  4. Add the rice and stir for 2 minutes until the edges of the grains turn translucent. Pour in the wine and stir until it is absorbed.

  5. Add the hot stock one ladle at a time, stirring often and waiting until each ladle is mostly absorbed before adding the next. After 17–20 minutes the rice should be tender with a slight bite in the center.

  6. Stir in the porcini and most of the seared mushrooms (keep a few for the top). Take the pan off the heat.

  7. Add the remaining 1 tbsp cold butter and the cheese and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon for 30 seconds. The risotto should flow slowly when you tilt the pan; loosen it with a splash of stock if it is stiff.

  8. Rest for 1 minute, season with salt and pepper, and spoon onto warm flat plates. Tap the plate underneath so the risotto spreads, then top with the reserved mushrooms, parsley and lemon zest.

Tips

  • Hot stock matters. Cold stock stops the cooking every time you add it and makes the rice gluey.
  • Traditional Parmigiano Reggiano uses animal rennet. For a strictly vegetarian guest, choose a cheese labeled vegetarian.
  • Risotto waits for no one. Have your date seated before you add the final butter and cheese.

Make ahead

Soak the porcini, slice the mushrooms and dice the onion up to a day ahead. You can sear the mushrooms an hour before.

Plating

Use wide, shallow bowls or flat plates. A tight dome means it is too stiff; you want a gentle wave that settles on its own.

What to drink

Wine: Pinot Noir or a lightly oaked Chardonnay: both mirror the earthiness.

Zero-proof: Chilled Earl Grey with a strip of lemon peel.

Questions

Can I use chicken stock?

Yes, it adds richness, but the dish is then no longer vegetarian.

Can I make it ahead?

Par-cook it: stop after about 12 minutes of adding stock, spread on a tray to cool, and finish with hot stock for 6–8 minutes before serving.

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