Gourmet Mushroom Risotto

This creamy gourmet mushroom risotto is a real crowd pleaser and a must try! Making a creamy homemade risotto takes time but its well worth it. With just a few simple ingredients, you can turn plain rice into a delicious entree or side dish.

Yield 5 servings

Ingredients

.7 oz. dried porcini mushrooms

4 1/2 cups vegetable broth

2 Tbsp. avocado oil + 2 Tbsp. vegan butter

16 oz. sliced baby Bella mushrooms

1/2 cup shallots, chopped

1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 sprig thyme

2 Tbsp. vegan butter

1-1/2 cups Arborio rice

1/4 tsp. Himalayan pink salt

1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup vegan parmesan 

Parsley, to garnish

 

Directions

1. In medium pot, bring vegetable broth to boil and reduce heat to low. Add porcini mushrooms, cover and cook for 4 minutes. Remove porcini mushrooms and slice.
2. In large pot over medium heat, warm avocado oil and butter mixture. Add porcini mushrooms, baby Bella mushrooms, shallots and onions; cook for 6 minutes. Add garlic and thyme and cook another 2 minutes. Transfer mixture (including liquid) to bowl and set aside.
3. In same large pot, combine 2 tablespoons vegan butter with uncooked rice for 1 minute (avoid browning rice). Add salt, pepper and white wine. Cook until liquid absorbs.
4. Return mushroom mixture to pot with rice. Slowly pour in 1/2 cup hot vegetable broth and stir until mostly absorbed. Add another 1/2 cup and so on until rice absorbs all of the liquid (this step takes roughly 35 minutes). Remove thyme spring and stir in vegan parmesan.
5. Spoon into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

 

Chef’s tip: In step No. 4, make sure liquid absorbs completely before adding more hot broth. This is VERY important!