Risotto is a very versatile dish that can be made many different ways. Porcini mushrooms have a very robust flavor that most people like. However, if you or your little ones find it a little too robust leave them out and add a milder mushroom, such as button mushrooms or mix it up with different kinds of mushrooms. My husband requested the addition of cooked shrimp, but I find that it can be a meal by itself. Sometimes I even add chopped fresh asparagus at the end, so it is just slightly cooked for my veggie. Other types of seafood, chicken or meat can be added. Mix it up your way!
Ingredients
1 cup of boiling water
1 – 1 oz. package of dried porcini mushrooms, reserving liquid
3 tablespoons of olive oil
½ cup of finely diced yellow onion
2 garlic cloves minced
1 cup of risotto – Arborio Italian Style Rice
½ cup of dry white wine
4 cups of chicken broth
2 tablespoons of butter
½ cup of parmesan cheese
Technique
Boil 1 cup of water and add dried porcini mushrooms to reconstitute. This will take about 20 minutes. Strain mushrooms and rinse grit, saving the liquid. Strain the liquid through a paper towel into a separate large deep cup to remove the grit from the liquid and set aside. Using a large heavy pan, sauté the onions in the olive oil over medium high heat until translucent. Add the garlic and risotto and stir for about a minute. Add white wine and stir. Add porcini liquid and stir until absorbed. Add broth about 1 cup at a time, stirring frequently. I do not heat the stock, because I see no need to dirty out another pot and it really doesn’t make much of a difference to the dish. Continue adding broth until most is absorbed. This process takes about 30 minutes. Add porcini mushrooms at any time. When risotto is tender stir in butter. After butter has melted, stir in parmesan cheese. Ladle into bowls and add cooked shrimp if using and enjoy!
Suggested Beverage
Try Farnese Sangiovese (Italy), Cantina Zaccagnini il vino “dal tralcetto†Montepuliciano d’Abruzzo Dry Red Wine (Italy), Masi Modello Delle Venezie (Italy), Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre Veronese (Italy).
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