Porcini Mushroom Risotto for Two

Risotto is one of the best comfort foods out there.  Most people love it and yet, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who has actually cooked it at home in his or her own kitchen (of course, these statistics might be a bit skewed in the food blog world).  Why?  Because it sounds intimidating and time-consuming.   It also sounds like something you could easily screw up.  In the end, it ends up being that once-in-a-blue-moon dish that you reserve for nice restaurants.   However!



Ironically, homemade risotto is pretty straightforward, involves relatively few ingredients, and has endless possibilities.  Don’t have any shallots?  Grab a regular yellow onion.  Can’t afford expensive dried wild mushrooms?  Use fresh.  No Arborio rice?  Try it with quinoa or orzo.



Before this weekend, I fit into the aforementioned group.  I had never made risotto in my life, besides the two or three times I’ve helped stir the pot for my mom.  For someone who has been making pasta since she could reach the stove and loves Italian food, I wasn’t so pleased with that fact.

So this weekend, I faced my fears, grabbed the huge bag of Arborio rice in my pantry, and decided that enough was enough.  Risotto was on the menu. Yes, it involves standing over the stove for about 30 minutes, requires a bit of intuition, but the end product is well worth it.   Here you go!

Porcini Mushroom Risotto

Serves 2-3

1 cup Arborio rice

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms

3 cups chicken stock (or vegetable)

1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped

freshly ground pepper

freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions:

1. Place dried mushrooms in heatproof bowl, boil water, and pour over the mushrooms.  Let the mushrooms hydrate fully for 20-30 minutes.  Drain mushrooms with sieve, making sure to set aside mushroom “broth” for cooking.


2. Chop the now hydrated mushrooms.  Set aside.


3. Place chicken broth and 1 cup of reserved mushroom broth in separate saucepan.  Bring to a low simmer.
   
   


4. Set stainless steel pot over medium heat, add butter and olive oil, and saute onions, stirring constantly, until they become soft.


5. Keep the heat on medium, add Arborio rice and stir until fully coated.  Stir for 1-2 minutes.


6. Add ladleful (about 1/2 cup) of simmering stock, stirring constantly until the Arborio rice becomes dry.  Make sure the heat is the right temperature, so that broth is not evaporating too quickly, but the pot is still active.


7. Continue this step for about 10 minutes.  Stir in mushrooms.
   
   


8. Continue to add broth (using the method above) until risotto is al dente (soft on outside with a slight chewy interior).  The risotto should be thick, not too soupy or dry. 


9. Stir in a small handful of freshly grated cheese.  Season with pepper.  Serve immediately!  Garnish with cheese.
   
   

Now revel in the fact that you can now make homemade risotto whenever you want!  Heck, make it for yourself on a Saturday night (ahem, me!) and save the leftovers for a cold, snowy day.



Name a dish that has always intimidated you in the past!  Have you ever tried to make it?

xo Laura

Comments

[Chrissy (The New Me)]

I've only made risotto once or twice, which is a shame. It's so creamy and delicious!

[Laura]

It really is! I need to remember to make it on a more regular basis. Thanks for visiting Chrissy!

[Joslyn @ missfitbliss]

You know, now that I think about it, I've never made risotto! It does somehow hold the reputation of being difficult to make. Any Asian-inspired dish intimidates me. I made homemade sushi once and it wasn't pretty.

[Laura]

I told you so! Haha, just kidding. Authentic Asian dishes intimidate me too, I'm not sure if I'll ever attempt sushi, because I know it would be a disaster. Good for you! :)

[soul + food]

I've never had risotto in my life - this post made me realize that I'm missing out lol

[Laura]

Hehe, you have to make it! It is delicious :)

xo Laura

[Tiffany]

I made risotto for the first time like 18 months ago and I distinctly remember being so disappointed...that I hadn't discovered it sooner! Absolutely amazing stuff.

Try cooking it a little longer. I stir/add stock for at least an hour, then add a splash of half 'n' half and a little pat of butter to finish. Amazing. It's awesome with grilled portobellos too.

And now I'm going to have to go make some!!

[Laura]

It is so good! Your version sounds delish. I love the idea of adding grilled portabellos. It definitely took me about 30-45 minutes to cook this amount, so I can imagine it taking a lot longer depending on the serving sizes. So glad I encouraged you to make it again! :)