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Mixed Mushroom Risotto
Serves 4 · Prep 15 min · Cook 40 min — Risotto with dried porcini, chestnut and shiitake mushrooms, using the porcini soaking liquid in the stock; soak the porcini for 30 minutes first.
- 20g dried porcini mushrooms
- 250ml boiling water (for soaking porcini)
- 200g chestnut mushrooms, sliced
- 150g shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 320g arborio rice
- 150ml dry white wine
- 1.2 litres hot chicken or vegetable stock
- 3 shallots, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 60g unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 80g Parmesan, finely grated
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- Salt and black pepper
- Soak the porcini in the boiling water for 30 min. Lift out and roughly chop. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve or kitchen paper and add it to the hot stock.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the chestnut and shiitake mushrooms in a single layer with the chopped porcini. Let them colour before stirring. Season and strip in the thyme leaves. Set aside once golden.
- In a wide, heavy-based pan, melt half the butter with the remaining oil over medium heat. Cook the shallots with a pinch of salt until soft and translucent, then add the garlic for a minute.
- Add the rice and stir to coat. Toast for 2 min until the edges turn slightly translucent.
- Pour in the wine and stir until absorbed.
- Add the hot stock a ladle at a time, stirring often and letting each addition absorb, until the rice is just tender with a slight bite and flows slowly when you tilt the pan (about 18 min).
- Stir the mushrooms through. Off the heat, beat in the remaining butter and the Parmesan. Cover and rest briefly, adjust the seasoning and serve immediately.
The porcini soaking liquid is essentially free mushroom stock — don't skip it.
Oyster mushrooms work in place of shiitake; seared king oyster makes a good garnish; dried morels are a luxurious swap for porcini.
Vegan: vegan butter block (Naturli or Miyoko's), vegetable stock, and skip or replace the Parmesan.
Mantecatura — beating in cold butter off the heat — gives the creamy, glossy finish.
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