Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients:

1 Cup Dried Mushrooms

1 1/2 Cups Cream

1 Tbsp Beef stock concentrate (powdered or paste work fine)

2 Cups Fresh Mushrooms, sliced (I usually use brown baby bella, but other varieties work great too!)

1 Onion, diced

3 Cloves of Garlic, minced

1/2 Stick of Butter, divided in half

2 1/2 Cups of Arborio (Risotto) Rice

5 Cups of Chicken or vegetable stock

Thyme

Salt

Parmesan or goat cheese (for serving)

Directions:

In a small sauce pan, bring to a simmer the dried mushrooms, cream and beef stock concentrate. Stir together occasionally and let reduce and thicken while you prepare the risotto. It should turn a light brown color and be able to coat the back of a spoon when it is finished.

Meanwhile, bring the chicken or vegetable stock to a boil. Melt 1/4 stick of butter in a large pan. Sautée the fresh mushrooms, onion and garlic until softened. Clear a section in the middle of the pan and melt the remaining butter. Add in the rice and cook until the rice has turned golden. Start to ladle in the hot stock to the pan with the risotto until the stock just covers it. 

Continue simmering the risotto while stirring and adding additional stock as needed until the rice is cooked through and the stock has been absorbed, about 15-20 minutes. Adjust seasonings as needed.

Once the risotto is cooked, stir in the mushroom cream. Serve with freshly grated parmesan or goat cheese.