Wild Mushroom Risotto

Serves two as a main course.

To learn more, read:
Risotto: Elegant Comfort Food
by Alan Tardi
from Fine Cooking
Issue 26
Last Edit Date: 7/20/2011 4:35:15 PM

This wild mushroom risotto gets its deep flavor from a combination of dried and fresh mushrooms. A little drizzle of white truffle oil right before serving is delicious. For a very intense mushroom flavor, use mushroom liquor instead of chicken broth: simmer 2 oz. dried porcini in 5 cups of water for 5 minutes; let sit 30 minutes off the heat and strain, reserving the mushrooms.

more about:

3 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth; more if needed
1 oz. dried porcini soaked for 30 minutes in 1 cup warm water; mushrooms chopped, soaking liquid strained and reserved
4 Tbs. butter
3/4 cup arborio rice
2 cups assorted fresh wild mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed, and coarsely chopped
2/3 cup dry white wine
Kosher salt to taste
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 Tbs. freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Heat the chicken broth along with the reserved strained porcini soaking liquid; lower the heat to a simmer. In a medium, heavy-gauge saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 2 Tbs. of the butter. Stir in the rice, toasting just until it starts to sizzle and pop, about 1 minute. It should not color. Stir the porcini and the fresh mushrooms into the rice. Stir in the wine.

When almost all the liquid has disappeared, after about 2 minutes, add just enough hot broth to cover the rice. Lower the heat to maintain a vigorous simmer; stir occasionally. When the broth is almost gone, add enough to cover the rice, along with a pinch of salt. Check on the risotto every 3 or 4 minutes, giving it an occasional stir to make sure it isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan and adding just enough broth to cover the rice when the liquid has almost disappeared.

Continue this way until the rice is just al dente, about 20 minutes total cooking time. Bite into a grain; you should see a white pin-dot in the center. Take the risotto off the heat. Add the remaining 2 Tbs. butter; stir vigorously for a few seconds. Add the parsley, cheese, and more salt, if needed. The risotto should be moist and creamy, not runny. Stir in more broth to loosen the risotto, if you like. Serve immediately.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 620; Fat (g): 27; Fat Calories (kcal): 240; Saturated Fat (g): 16; Protein (g): 15; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 8; Carbohydrates (g): 75; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 1; Sodium (mg): 1010; Cholesterol (mg): 65; Fiber (g): 4;

Photo: Scott Phillips

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by allisonfaye, 10/2/2011This is sooo good. Add a glass of white wine and some crusty bread and I have died and gone to heaven.

by mlbach, 5/24/2011Very mushroomy and good! I used morels and portabellas for the fresh mushrooms, and the morels were overwhelmed by the porcinis. I added more cheese at the end, which I think helped balance the flavors better. I would make it again, but I wouldn't bother with the morels.

by caitlin, 4/17/2010Definitely use the soaking liquid with/instead of chicken broth for a more intense flavor. Love all the mushrooms in here - wonderfully earthy and grounded. Just need a touch of intensity the mushroom soaking liquid would give it. Will make it again!

by CampRN, 11/11/2009Very tasty, earthy, the cheese was just the right amount to give it snother layer of flavor, and salt. I did not add any salt to the dish, and I used spelt grain instead of rice. It took longer, but was worth it!

by cookykamp, 1/18/2009Nice, rich mushroom flavor! I used a combo of chicken and vegetable broth along with the porcini soaking liquid. Very creamy...perfect comfort food!

by JoeWolf, 10/7/2007Easy to make and very good. A nice balance of creaminess and tanginess.