How to Make Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

Hearty Italian Rice Dish Perfect Comfort Food

A hearty plate of steaming risotto has to be the ultimate in comfort food, and just like that other Italian all-time favorite, the humble pizza, risottos can be made using an immense variety of ingredients to suit every palate.

Despite its reputation for being a finicky dish to make, risotto isn't as difficult as it is time consuming, but the results are fabulous.

The most basic risotto involves frying some rice in butter and then gradually adding some stock and finally a dab of cheese. But where's the fun in that! Might as well have a plain pizza. There are, of course, countless varieties of ready-made risottos available in the supermarket, but once you've had a taste of the home-made stuff, you'll never go back.

Chicken and Mushroom Risotto Recipe

Ingredients

• 150g chicken (small pieces)
• 6-7 button mushrooms
• ¼ cup cooked sweet corn
• 2 shallots
• 2 garlic cloves
• 50g butter
• 1Tbls olive oil
• 250g risotto rice
• 1 liter vegetable or chicken stock
• 30ml double cream
• 4-5 tablespoons of parmesan or mature cheddar (grated)
• chopped coriander for seasoning
• salt and black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. On medium heat, fry the chicken pieces in the butter and olive oil until coated.
2. Chop the shallots and garlic finely and add to the chicken, frying for two minutes.
3. Add the rice and fry until every grain is coated in oil.
4. Add one ladle of hot stock and cook until all the liquid has been absorbed by the rice.
5. Add another ladle of stock and wait until all the liquid is absorbed. Continue with this process until the rice is cooked and is al dente, or soft to bite. This should take about 15 minutes. You might not use all the stock or you may need some hot water at the end depending on the rice you use.
6. Now add the salt and pepper, chopped mushrooms, sweet corn, cream and cheese.
7. Garnish with coriander and serve in a bowl.

This recipe serves two to three.

Risotto Alternatives

Alternatively, try a seafood risotto using prawns, red peppers, grated lemon rind and fish stock, or even a Mediterranean vegetable risotto with courgettes, aubergines and tomatoes.

Risotto is one of those dishes that is easy to alter to suit everyone's tastes, but the key to success here is patience and observation. It is vital to add the liquid gradually and to not overcook any of the ingredients you choose to add. Put them into the pan according to cooking times, or use pre-cooked ingredients and add them right at the end with the cream and cheese.

Whichever flavors you prefer, risotto is a wonderfully wholesome and aromatic dish to make at home. Once you've mastered the basics, you'll find yourself often returning to the kitchen cupboard and reaching for the risotto rice for a warming and immensely satisfying treat.