Porcini, Caramelized Onion and Sage Risotto

prep time:: 30 min
total time:: 1 1/4 hr

Serves 4

Earthiness from Italy’s beloved porcini mushrooms, sweetness of onions and the sharp perfume of sage spell an awesome risotto! Sometimes I add cooked asparagus to the risotto towards the end of cooking. Adapted from Williams and Sonoma Collection: Risotto.

ingredients

3/4 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
1 cup hot water
5 1/2 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, quartered lengthwise, sliced crosswise
4 ounces baby portabella mushrooms, sliced (baby bella mushrooms)
3 1/2 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
4 ounces oyster mushrooms, sliced (or other mushrooms)
2 cups arborio rice (or medium grain rice)
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped (or 1 tsp. dried)
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese
salt
pepper
fresh sage leaf

directions

1
1. In a small bowl, mix the porcini mushrooms and hot water. Soak for 30 minutes to soften. Drain the mushrooms, reserving the soaking liquid. Chop the mushrooms,.
2
2. In a small saucepan over high heat, bring the stock to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and keep the liquid hot.
3
3. In a heavy medium saucepan over medium high heat, melt the butter with the olive oil and saute the onions, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tbls. butter to pan. Add baby bella mushrooms, shitake mushrooms, and oyster mushrooms to pan and cook about 10 more minutes.
4
4. Add the rice and mushrooms(including the chopped porcini mushrooms) to the onions and stir about 1 minute. Add the wine and stir until it is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add the chopped sage, the reserved mushroom soaking liquid and 3/4 cup of the stock. Adjust the heat to simmer, so that liquid bubbles and is absorbed slowly. Stir until liquid is absorbed.
5
5. Continue cooking, adding the liquid 3/4 cup at a time and stirring almost constanly, until the rice starts to soften, about 10 minutes.
6
6. Continue cooking, adding liquid 1/2 cup at a time and stirring almost constantly, until rice is just tender but slightly firm in the center and the mixture is creamy, about 10 more minutes.
7
7. Add the Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Sitr to mix well.
8
8. To serve, spoon risotto into a shallow serving bowl.
9
9. Garnish with sage leaves and enjoy!