Szechuan Shiitake Risotto Recipes

CARAMELIZED SHIITAKE MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat vegetable broth over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to low to keep warm.
• In the meantime, heat a large pan* over medium heat. Once hot, add oil and shallot and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes - stirring frequently. Then add mushrooms and coconut aminos and continue sautéing until the mushrooms are golden brown and caramelized. Optional: remove some of the shiitake mushrooms from the pan and reserve for serving - not necessary, but it makes a nice garnish.
• Add the thyme and arborio rice and cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Then add dry white wine and stir gently. Cook for 2 minutes or until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
• Using a ladle, add warmed vegetable stock 1/2 cup (120 ml) at a time, stirring almost constantly, giving the risotto little breaks to come back to a simmer. The heat should be medium, and there should always be a slight simmer (adjust heat as needed). You want the mixture to be cooking consistently but not boiling or it can get gummy and cook too quickly.
• Continue to add vegetable stock 1 ladle at a time, stirring to incorporate, until the rice is 'al dente' - cooked through but still has a slight bite. This whole process should take about 15-20 minutes.
• Once the rice is cooked through and al dente, remove from heat and add vegan parmesan cheese. Stir to coat (see photo). Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding sea salt and pepper to taste or more vegan parmesan to enhance the cheesiness. If dry at this point, add a little more warmed broth.
• To serve, divide between serving bowls and top with reserved mushrooms, additional vegan parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley (all optional).
• Best when fresh, though leftovers will keep covered in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop with additional (warmed) vegetable broth until hot.

SHIITAKE AND BABY BELLA MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in shallot and cook for 30 seconds, then add shiitake and cremini mushrooms, and cook until they begin to brown. Stir in 2 tablespoons butter and Arborio until rice is well coated in oil; reduce heat to medium, and cook until the shallot and mushrooms have turned golden brown.
• Pour in white wine, and simmer until evaporated, stirring constantly. Season with thyme, celery salt, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low; pour in 1/3 of the hot vegetable stock, and cook until evaporated, stirring constantly, about 7 minutes.
• Pour in another third of the vegetable stock, and continue to stir until evaporated. Repeat once more with the remaining third of stock. Stir constantly until the rice is tender and creamy. Add hot water if needed to continue cooking until the rice has softened.
• Stir in butter, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley before serving.

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Pour the stock into a saucepan, place over high heat, and bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, snap off the ends from the asparagus and peel any tough skin from the stalks.
• Add the asparagus ends to the stock, reduce the heat to low, and simmer gently until the stems are tender, about 7 minutes.
• Dip out and discard the stems.
• Slice the spears 1/4 inch thick on the diagonal.
• Set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until hot.
• Scatter in the mushrooms and do not move them until they begin to brown, about 1 minute.
• Then season with salt and pepper, and sauté until brown, about 5 minutes.
• Remove to a plate.
• Lower the heat to medium, add the onion, season lightly with salt, and cook until soft but not brown, about 2 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook briefly.
• Add the rice and stir until the grains look pearly white, about 2 minutes.
• Add the wine, if using, and cook until the pan is nearly dry.
• Adjust the heat so the rice cooks at a slow simmer.
• Add 1/2 cup of the stock, stir, and cook until the pan is nearly dry again.
• Season lightly with salt and pepper now so the flavor permeates the rice.
• Add another 1/2 cup of the stock and continue to stir and cook, adding stock as necessary, until the rice is three-fourths cooked, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in the thyme, mushrooms, and sliced asparagus tips.
• Continue to cook until the rice is al dente and the asparagus is bright green and just tender, about 4 minutes longer.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, Fontina cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the parsley and the lemon zest, if using.
• Taste for seasoning.
• Dust with Parmesan before serving.
• Pass more cheese at the table.

SZECHUAN SHIITAKE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat peppercorns in medium saucepan over high heat 1 minute. Add broth and mushrooms and bring to boil. Cover, remove from heat and steep 30 minutes. Transfer mushrooms to bowl. Strain broth. Thinly slice mushrooms.
• Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and shallots; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in rice. Mix in wine and soy sauce and bring to boil. Add all but 1/2 cup broth. Simmer uncovered 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Continue cooking until rice is tender and mixture is creamy, adding remaining 1/2 cup broth if necessary to make creamy, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes longer. Season with salt and serve.