Mock Mushroom Risotto

Looked in the refrigerator and found some mushrooms that needed using, some frozen chicken soup, frozen peas and frozen grated cheese. Decided to try and make risotto - spontaneously - so here is my very simple version - there is no butter and no white wine - but it came out really terrific.

These ingredients make enough for 4 main course servings.

[Rating – needs attention – but easy]

[Preparation time: 10 minutes to cut and chop + 25-30 minutes to mix the liquids into the rice]

Arborio rice, mushrooms, garlic, onions and peas

Ingredients:

1 cup Arborio rice or for risotto (see picture) – DO NOT RINSE THE RICE!!

Arborio rice grains

At least 2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms (button, Portobello and/or fresh shitake or whatever fresh mushrooms you have available)

At least 2 to 3 cups of chicken stock or any other liquid 

(used homemade chicken soup, added water as needed, white wine works also)

1 tablespoon chopped garlic (or more or less if you like)

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (more or less)

1 cup grated hard cheese (Pecorino or Parmigiano-Reggiano)

Black pepper

2 tablespoons Olive oil or Canola oil 

Preparation:

• Heat large frying pan or wide low pot - Add oil 
• Add onions and cook until softened and translucent
• Add the garlic and nutmeg into the onions - mix
• Add mushrooms - they will begin to soften and shrink a bit when this happens 
• Add rice and mix until it looks kind of opaque or translucent and is well coated with the oil

 onions, mushrooms and rice before adding liquid

• Add one ladle of chicken stock and simmer until it is absorbed, stirring it gently.

 onions, mushrooms and rice after adding chicken stock

• Continue adding remaining stock ladle by ladle using the same process as above [the rice is releasing starches, which what makes this dish so delicious]
• Every so often taste the rice, when the rice begins to get chewy and the mixture is like a thick-ish oatmeal consistency - ADD the peas - MIX 

 mushrooms and rice with peas

• Turn off the heat and add the ground cheese.

 mushrooms, rice, peas adding cheese

• To serve - transfer to bowls and serve immediately.

 Mock Mushroom Risotto

You could bump it up with white wine [next time I just might] and butter.

Let me know what you think and any suggestions you might have.