Mushroom Asparagus Risotto
Creamy Italian risotto loaded with fresh mushrooms and asparagus. Finished with Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and nutmeg. A classic comfort dish requiring constant stirring for perfect results.
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup finely chopped onion
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups Arborio rice
- 8 ounces button mushrooms
- 7 ounces asparagus
- 2 ounces grated Parmesan approximately 1/2 cup
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Instructions
- Remove stems from mushrooms and set aside. Cut mushrooms into 1/2-inch pieces. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add half the onion and sauté mushrooms for 5 minutes until tender and releasing juice.
- Trim woody ends from asparagus. Bring salted water to boil in a small saucepan and prepare ice-water bath.
- Place asparagus in boiling water and cook until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Transfer immediately to ice-water bath to cool. Drain and slice into 2-inch pieces.
- In a medium saucepan with lid, combine chicken broth and white wine and heat just to simmering. Keep warm.
- In a large skillet or 3-4 quart heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add remaining onions and pinch of salt. Sweat until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Arborio rice and stir. Cook for 3-5 minutes until grains are translucent around edges. Do not brown.
- Reduce heat to low. Add enough wine and chicken broth to just cover the rice. Stir often until liquid is completely absorbed.
- Continue adding liquid just to cover rice and stirring until absorbed. Repeat until all liquid is used, approximately 35-40 minutes total.
- Add mushrooms and asparagus, stirring until risotto is creamy and vegetables are heated through.
- Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan, lemon zest, and nutmeg. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Notes
Constant stirring is essential for creamy risotto - do not skip this step. Use warm broth for best results. Arborio rice is crucial for the creamy texture. Lemon zest added at the end brings out all the flavors. Can be adapted with other vegetables like peas or carrots.