mushroom risotto

My quest to find yummy, easy, toddler friendly, vegetarian recipes is going amazingly well. It must be the power of attraction. The universe tuning into my positive vibes in the kitchen!

I thought I might share some of the best recipes with you. I’d love to hear about your favourite recipes too. Feel free to leave a link in the comments. Nothing too fancy or gourmet. Just regular easy weekday meals.

First up is a recipe my dear friend Briana emailed to me from the UK, after hearing about my newfound passion in the kitchen. Mushroom Risotto. It’s a winner. Briana is a brilliant cook. Much like her mum. When I was fresh out of boarding school and living on my own for the first time, they would often take pity on me. I’d be invited over to enjoy their delicious family meals. A welcome break from my regular diet of fairy bread and cheeseburgers.

This is her "lazy day" recipe . . .

: : Mushroom Risotto : :

10g dried porcini mushrooms
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 white onion, finely chopped
Salt
25g butter
250g arborio rice
500ml chicken stock
50g grated parmesan
Pepper

To serve
3 tablespoons shredded flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons grated parmesan

First, reconstitute the porcini mushrooms by soaking them in 500ml of luke warm water for 30 minutes.
Heat a large heavy-based saucepan and add the oil, onion, salt and half the butter. Cook over low heat until the onion is translucent but not browned, stirring occasionally. Add the rice and stir for a few minutes until the grains are glistening. Increase the heat to high and add the porcini mushrooms, soaking water and chicken stock and bring to the boil. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan, remaining butter, and pepper. Serve sprinkled with parsley and parmesan.

Notes:

1. I also added some common cup and shitake mushrooms. Only because I’m incapable of following a recipe to the letter.

2. I usually use my own photos, but this meal was so yummy we all devoured it before I had a chance to get the camera out. The pic is from here. Recipe originally from Bill Granger.

3. If you’d told me a month ago I’d be blogging about cooking, I would have laughed!

4. My fabulous fabric (and more) giveaway is open for a few more days.