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Wine and Food: Recipes

Fabulous Porcini Risotto for Two

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dried Porcini Powder (use the crumbs in the bottom of the bag or put some dried pieces through the blender)
6 pieces sliced dried Porcini
pinch of sugar
1 teaspoon Porcini oil
2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano—Reggiano
4 tablespoons butter or olive oil
3/4 cup dry white wine
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup Porcini stock
3/4 cup Arborio Rice

Preparation:
Prepare Porcini stock by placing 1 tablespoon dry Porcini powder, the sliced Porcini and a pinch of sugar in 1 cup warm water. Let soak for 30 to 60 minutes, or cover and store in the refrigerator overnight. Remove the Porcini slices and squeeze out the liquid. Set the mushrooms aside.

Blend the Porcini stock and chicken stock together in a saucepan and heat to just below simmer.

Heat 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil in a saucepan. When good and hot, add the rice and Porcini slices. (For first-time risotto makers, set your clock for 20 minutes.) Stir and cook for approximately 1 minute on medium heat. Add the white wine. Stir and simmer until almost all the liquid has been absorbed. Add 1 cup of stock. Simmer and stir until the stock is absorbed. Repeat this process, using all of the stock. When the stock is almost all absorbed, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter or oil and 2 tablespoons of grated cheese. Mix briskly 1 minute, then turn off the heat. Test the rice by biting or slicing open a few grains. It should be al dente, soft going to firm with a pinprick of white in the center. Add 1 teaspoon or more of Porcini oil and serve immediately. Buon appetito!

Note: You can buy dried Porcini mushrooms in most Italian markets and specialty stores. You may also order Porcini mushrooms, dried and/or sliced, Porcini powder and Porcini oil from Gourmet Mushrooms, Inc.

Gourmet Mushrooms Inc.
P. O. Box 391
Sebastopol, CA 95473
phone: 707/823-1743
facsimile: 707/823-1507
e-mail: gourmetm@aol.com