Mushroom and Mascarpone Risotto

Prep: 20 mins || Cook: 25 mins || Serves: 4-6

INGREDIENTS

20 gm dried porcini mushrooms

80 gm butter, coarsely chopped

2 tbsp olive oil

300 gm Swiss brown mushrooms, thickly sliced

5-6 sage leaves, coarsely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

400 gm risotto rice

125 ml (½ cup) dry white wine

85 gm (⅓ cup) mascarpone, plus extra to serve (optional)

35 gm (⅓ cup) finely grated parmesan, plus extra to serve

METHOD

Soak porcini in a bowl with 700ml boiling water for 10 minutes to soften. Drain, reserving soaking liquid. Finely chop mushrooms and reserve. Keep soaking liquid warm.

Meanwhile, heat half the butter and half the oil in a saucepan over high heat, add fresh mushrooms and sage and sauté until tender and golden brown (3-5 minutes). Set aside.

Add remaining butter and oil to pan along with onion and sauté until golden brown (4-5 minutes).

Add rice and stir to coat in oil, then add wine and simmer until evaporated (1 minute).

Add reserved soaking liquid a ladleful at a time, stirring continuously between additions until most is absorbed before adding the next, until rice is al dente and creamy (13-15 minutes; you may not need all the soaking liquid).

Season to taste, stir in mascarpone, parmesan and three-quarters of both mushrooms, then serve risotto topped with remaining mushrooms and extra grated parmesan.