Valentine's is coming up - and be it single or with our loved one - a home cooked meal somehow seems more delightful than going to a restaurant. I for one, never liked going to restaurants on such occasion as the place is always packed, waiting time is always long and the food quality is always not as great as other days due to high amount of orders and don't get me started on how loud it get's that you can barely even communicate. When Valentine's comes around it's become a tradition for me to always make a home cooked meal: and usually it's a mushroom risotto on the menu. Whether you're spending the night in with your loved one, friends or having a little night to dedicate love to yourself - what better way than to whizz up a nice tasty dinner in good company (yourself included).
This dish is naturally gluten-free, and there have been times where I have made this dish also dairy-free. Just make sure that you use vegan butter and opt out of the parmesan cheese; you can use yeast flakes as an alternative; which has a cheesy taste and works instead of the parmesan. So this dish can easily be manipulated to be meat friendly, gluten, dairy friendly for any one who is affected by any of the above.
I love mushrooms; we've established this already - if your wo/man is a meat lover you can add pieces of chicken to make it meatier. I can assure you it doesn't lack the meatiness, I have tried chicken and mushroom and it's just as delicious, However, this time I have decided to stick to a vegetarian option.
Just put on some music, and be in the moment whilst you cook, this makes the process even more enjoyable as well as exciting - you can always tell when a dish is made with love. So go for it - spoil yourself or the special someone and make them something yummy for dins, you can even cook with your partner if you wish to get in some more bonding time, if you're single you can bond with your glass of wine - whilst dancing like a lunatic in your kitchen - there's the silver lining!
INGREDIENTS:
for x2 portions
-1tsp of olive oil
- x200g arborio rice
- x5 chestnut mushrooms
- x5 normal mushrooms
-1tsp of butter
- x1 vegetable cube
(chicken or veggie broth)
-x2 cloves of garlic
-x1 glass of white wine
(x2 if you want to enjoy a drink whilst you cook)
- Grated Parmiggiano Regianno cheese
- Parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
HOW TO :
Start by cooking your garlic to let infuse with the butter - I usually use olive oil for this step but I completely ran dry; so butter had to do... But usually olive oil is my preferred choice.
Don't let the garlic burn - once the butter has melted (or the oil started to heat) add the mushrooms and let them cook slightly.
When your mushrooms are well on their way, at this stage you can add the rice and let the rice soak in the mushroom liquid!
At the same time, you can add your glass of wine, for the rice to absorb it all, this step is optional - as some of you might choose to not use alcohol in their cooking, although the wine helps give it a nicer taste - I recommend this step ; but it can still work without.
Once the rice has drank up all the liquid, you can go ahead and add in your water and stock of your choice.
Now this is my way of doing risotto; I am aware that it's not the traditional way of just adding small handfuls of water every two minutes whilst constantly stirring. I just add as much water necessary, usually for x1 cup of rice, it's x2 cups of water.
I usually cook on medium to high heat and cooking time usually varies from 7-10 minutes. You might need to add slightly more water at some point to get your rice cooked at the perfect consistency of your liking.
Once your rice, is at a consistency that you like. It's normal to still have your risotto slightly wet in the pan - as long as the rice grain is tender. You can go ahead & add the butter into the mixture.
And add your parmesan cheese to taste, I used about x2tbsp worth - this allows the rice to get super creamy and compliment the butter that no cream is needed in this recipe. (You can however, add a little cream if you wish - at this stage you would add it into your rice)
Just mix it together and there you have your creamy, perfectioness ready to be served up and enjoyed.
TIP: When eating hot meals from a bowl always dig in from the outer rims as they are cooler than the middle. This is if you are impatient like I am. he he. who wouldn't be with this dish in front of you!
Make yourself a glass of bubbly & enjoy every bite with love, either you set up a nice candle lit dinner and enjoy quality time, or you're having a pamper night for yourself and you have this after an amazing bath, whilst watching movies - this will be perfect either way.
Hope you guys enjoy this recipe from my heart to yours - have a fab V.day.
