Make your risotto with water
As much as I enjoy eating risotto, I think I like the cooking process even more. Yes, it requires a lot of active time over the stove, but it’s so methodical and relaxing if you stay in the moment.
If you haven’t made risotto at home before, the process is actually simple: You start by cooking an onion in oil to lay a flavor foundation, then toast short grain rice, deglaze with wine, and then add hot liquid cup by cup until your rice reaches the right texture - finishing with butter and Parmesan, of course. A lot of risotto recipes call for stock, but unless you’re using something homemade, salted water works better and you can more easily control the seasoning.
Lately, I’ve been hooked on BA’s Best Risotto because it produces the perfect taste and texture, and the base recipe provides seasonal topping options to make it more of a meal. I’ve made the Fall: Browned Mushrooms with Thyme variation three times now (only the most recent actually in the Fall), and it’s incredible.
Bentley’s Way
I half the recipe (because of course I do) and it comfortably serves 2-3 with entrée portions - this reheats wonderfully so make the full batch if you eat leftovers. Even though I half the risotto, I still use the full amount of onion and oil to start, then everything from there is cut in half.
I would encourage you to use salted water when making this, whether you’ve made risotto before or not. I promise you will be really happy you did. You also really should taste throughout to check the texture like the recipe says because you likely won’t need to use all of the liquid.
If you make the mushroom topping, promise you will let your mushrooms get brown. I use shiitake mushrooms because they’re my go-to as a novice mushroom-lover. I also finish with lemon juice - the recipe gives you the option between lemon juice and vinegar, but the lemon is so much more delicious. And finally, I make the full batch of this for half the risotto and it’s worth it.
November 2020
August 2020 - Crispier mushrooms! Go me!