Mushroom Risotto with Frizzled Leeks

Savory Mushroom Risotto with rosemary, garlic, and leeks- a hearty vegetarian dinner, perfect for special occasions, date nights, or entertaining. Video! Check out Our 40 Best Mushroom Recipes!

Mushroom Risotto is creamy, earthy, and full of lovely umami flavor. It feels elegant and perhaps a bit indulgent, but truthfully, it is lighter than one might expect. This version is made with wild and tame mushrooms both found at the farmer’s market, along with leeks, garlic and savory herbs. Finish with a little parmesan to add a little richness.

Risotto is one of the dishes that perhaps seems fussy, but really couldn’t be easier. It’s a beautiful way to showcase your favorite mushrooms and let them become the star of the dish. It can be served on its own as a vegetarian main or topped with a piece of fish or chicken. Either way, you’ll love the flavors here.

To elevate, a little lemon zest adds a nice brightness. The optional frizzled leek tops are a pretty garnish. And If you are a truffle fan, add a tiny drizzle of truffle oil to finish.

Mushroom Risotto Video

Ingredients in Mushroom Risotto

• Stock or broth: veggie, mushroom or chicken
• Olive oil or butter- or a combo of both
• Leeks – or shallots or onion
• Garlic cloves
• Mushrooms: Wild mushrooms like chanterelle mushrooms, morel mushrooms, and porcini are especially nice in mushroom risotto, but tame mushrooms work well too- like shiitake mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, maitake, oyster mushrooms, and portobello mushrooms. Using a combination of mushrooms adds complexity. Adding dried mushrooms to the cooking broth is also a great option.
• Herbs: Rosemary, thyme or sage
• Arborio Rice:  This is an Italian short-grain rice that is starchy and gets creamy with cooking.
• Dry white wine – sauv blanc, pinot grigio, chardonnay, or even champagne
• Cheese: grated parmesan cheese or pecorino
• Salt and pepper
• Optional additions: truffle oil, shaved truffle, lemon zest

How to Make Mushroom Risotto

Step one

Cut and prep the leeks, garlic, and mushrooms. Tip: Try not to wash mushrooms; just brush off any dirt or grit- keeping them dry. Some mushrooms like chanterelles or maitake are nice when torn, rather than cut. (If you absolutely must wash mushrooms, do this ahead, spread them out on a towel for a few hours, so they dry out before sautéing.)

Save the dark green leek tops and make the frizzled leeks or this beautiful leek oil. 

Step two

In a heavy bottom pot, dutch oven or braiser – heat olive oil (or butter, or combo of both) over medium heat. Add the leeks, mushrooms, garlic, and herbs and cook until mushrooms release their liquid. Turn up the heat slightly and cook off the liquid and caramelize the mushrooms a bit.

Set HALF aside.

Step three

Add the arborio rice and saute for 3 minutes or so, toasting. Then pour in the white wine and stir up any browned bits, cooking this off completely.

Step four

Begin ladling in warm broth, ¾ cup at a time.

Add the broth ¾ cup at a time, stirring up any browned bits, cooking it over medium or medium-low heat.

Let the rice absorb most of the broth before adding more.

Repeat this process until all the broth is gone, and the rice is softened, and it is creamy- about 20 minutes.

Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Towards the end, keep testing the risotto for texture- you want the outside of grain to be creamy and tender- yet at the very center, the slightest bit al dente, so it keeps its shape and doesn’t get mushy.

Step five

Once you have attained the perfect creamy texture, only then stir in the cheese- not before.  Add more broth or hot water to loosen the risotto. Stir in the mushrooms you set aside, saving a few of the prettiest ones for garnish.

Some people like to add a couple of tablespoons butter, I personally do not, but up to you.

What makes Risotto Creamy?

Contrary to popular belief, risotto is creamy, not from of the addition of cream, butter or cheese, it gets its creaminess from the rice itself.

What is the secret to Creamy Risotto?

1. Using the correct type of rice- Arborio rice or Bamba rice (fat, short-grain white rice)  has a naturally creamy texture when cooked.
2. Do not rinse the rice.
3. Stir but do not over-stir.
4. Add the “perfect” amount of liquid. Practice makes perfect here- it is not a specific measurement but a “feel” thing.
5. Cook it long enough, but do not overcook it. People actually tend to undercook risotto. It should be tender, but hold it’s shape. Again, practice makes perfect here.

Frizzled Leeks

A nice little garnish to make while the risotto is cooking is to either make this leek oil, or these frizzled leeks- a great way to use the leek tops. You can also add some leek tops to your simmering broth.

To make the frizzled leeks, thinly slice the darkest ends- you’ll only need about ½ cup.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat- then add the leeks.

They will darken just slightly and become crisp – around 3 minutes. Remove before they discolor and place on a paper towel- sprinkle with salt and let cool.

Sprinkle these frizzled leeks over your finished dish and a little lemon zest.

Store leftovers for up to for days in the fridge, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stove top, adding a little broth.

Is risotto a main or side dish?

It can be either. Personally, I find it hearty enough for a meal, especially if topped with meaty earthy mushrooms. But feel free to serve a protein with it if you like.

Ways to Elevate Mushroom Risotto:

• Drizzle with truffle oil
• Sprinkle shaved truffles
• Drizzle with Leek oil
• Add a handful of greens -kale, chard, baby spinach- and stir until just wilted.
• Lemon zest.
• Use Pecorino instead of parmesan.

Can Mushroom Risotto be made in an Instant Pot?

Yes, absolutely! It’s actually quite delicious. I recommend reviewing this Instant Pot Risotto Recipe, noting the timing and liquid ratios.

You’ll need to reduce the broth and wine by half- so keep that in mind, and set the pressure cooking time to 6 minutes.

Caramelize the mushrooms first, then remove them, then saute the leeks and garlic (as the saute function on the instant pot runs a little hot) to prevent scorching the leeks.

Waht to serve with Mushroom Risotto

Risotto can be served with any of the following proteins, sides, or salads:

•  Baked Chicken Breasts
• Perfect Grilled Salmon
• The Best Grilled Chicken
• This Salmon 
• Little Gem Salad with Dilly Ranch Dressing
• Classic Caesar Salad
• Pear Salad with Vanilla Fig Dressing
• Fennel Asparagus Salad
• Blistered Green Beans with Toasted Walnut Vinaigrette
• Grilled Asparagus with Preserved Lemon Aioli

More risotto recipes you may enjoy

• Butternut Risotto with Leeks (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
• Lemony Asparagus Risotto
• Summer Tomato Risotto with Saffron
• The Easiest Instant Pot Risotto Recipe
• Spring Pea Risotto with Halibut
• Seared Black Cod with Meyer Lemon Risotto and Gremolata
• Farro Risotto with Acorn Squash

We hope you enjoy this Date Night Mushroom Risotto- let us know what you think in the comments below.

xoxo

Sylvia

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