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Mushroom and Goat Cheese Risotto

Serves well as an appetizer, first or main course. Cook the mushrooms first, then the risotto using the same pan to infuse a little mushroom goodness into the rice.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: First Course, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: goat cheese, mushrooms, risotto
Servings: 4

Equipment

  • Sauce pan
  • Stainless steel pan with straight sides
  • Ladle

Mise en place

  • 12 oz mushrooms sliced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 3/4 c onion or shallot minced or small dice (1/4")
  • 2 cloves garlic (optional) minced
  • 1 1/2 c Arborio, carnarolli, bomba or vialone nano rice short grain rice
  • 1/2 c dry white wine, prosecco, vermouth or cognac
  • 4 c chicken stock thin with a little water if needed until it is a nice chicken soup flavor
  • salt to taste
  • 1/3 c grated pecorino romano cheese
  • 1/3 c grated parmesan reggiano cheese plus a little more for serving
  • 2 oz goat cheese

Method

  • Heat stock in saucepan until simmering. Maintain a very light simmer.
  • Heat 1 T each olive oil and butter in a sturdy pan with straight sides on medium-high heat and sauté the mushrooms with a pinch of salt to release their liquids and caramelize them, about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Lower the heat to medium. Add remaining 1 T olive oil and 1 T butter to the pan used to cook the mushrooms. Add the onions and garlic (if using), and gently sauté for 2 minutes, then add the rice. Stir to coat the rice in the oil and butter and gently toast the rice, 2 minutes more - do not brown the soffritto or the rice.
  • Deglaze the pan with the white wine. Gently stir until fully absorbed before adding stock.
  • Slowly add simmering stock, 1/2 cup at a time, gently stirring to ensure the stock is fully absorbed before adding more. Continue gradually adding stock and gently stirring until almost all of the stock has been used and the risotto is 90-95% done. This part of the process should take 15-20 minutes.
  • Stir in remaining 2 T butter and both cheeses.
  • Crumble goat cheese into the risotto, lightly stir to combine.
  • Serve immediately. Stir in or top your risotto with the mushrooms when serving. Garnish with a little chopped parsley leaves and more cheese.