Mushroom Risotto

Creamy, comforting and endlessly versatile, risotto is the ultimate dish to impress with minimal ingredients and maximum flavour. Grab your favorite drink, pick up a spoon, and let's make the perfect risotto together!

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The Northern Italian dish is all about patience and technique - slowly drawing out the starch from the Arborio rice to create a rich and velvety texture. No matter which type of risotto you’re making, stirring is the key - adding broth little by little, letting the flavours develop. 

Disclaimer: this is nothing for the weak hearted ones out there. If you're sensitive to violence and blood, please skip this section: skip.

“Why do all our nice nights out have to end like this?”, I hiss through clenched teeth, while Susan gives me a side glance that makes my blood boil even more.

“It’s because you never listen”, she huffs, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms. And here we go again. It’s the same discussion over and over again - with the same old arguments put on repeat. I am even sure I could finish her sentence if I wanted - but that would only escalate the situation even more, and all I want to do tonight is relax before I must go back to work again tomorrow. So, I decide today’s not the day. I won’t be the bigger asshole today - I’ll be the bigger person for a change.

“I’m sorry”, I say gently, opening my arms inviting her into a hug.

Her expression softened, making her face look even more beautiful than when she’s angry. And she is already damn hot, when she’s mad. That fire in her eyes, the slightly reddened cheeks. Oh man, if that doesn’t bring my blood to boil for a whole other reason.

“Are you seriously turned on now?” She says, her voice shaking, clearly torn between accusation and her own lust. 

“It depends”, I say, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips. “Do you want me to be?” 

I’m walking on thin ice here - the situation could tip at any moment. Reward me with a nice skate or punish me with ice-cold water waiting beneath the surface.

“Is this because of Carol?” She asked, all the blood draining from her face. “I saw how you looked at her again.”

Ice-cold water it is.

“I have not...” I sigh and shake my head, but before I can even start defending myself, she interrupts me.

“Don’t.”, she shakes her head and stumbles a few steps back. “I don’t want to hear your stupid excuses anymore.”

“Susan”, I beg. “Listen to me. Please.” 

I step forward, trying to close the distance between us.

“No! You listen!” She yells at me, moving even further away from me. “I am done watching how you look at all those women - undress them with your gaze. Every time we go out, you can’t keep your eyes to yourself. Do you know how that makes me feel?” 

Her eyes are wide, and her nostrils flare with rage.

“And do you know how it makes me feel to be accused of things I don’t do?” I throw back truthfully. There’s only Susan to me - always has been. Since the day we met, it’s always only been her. Despite her constant insecurity - her never-ending accusations. And now I can feel the shift in my emotions - feel the ice-cold water evaporate under the heat of my anger. 

“How it makes you feel?” She replies mockingly. “You know what. We’re done here.”

Before I can open my mouth to protest, she turns on her heel and moves toward the bedroom door.

I’m furious. She can’t just walk away like that - can’t just leave me here in the middle of a fight. This is not happening right now. I can feel my temper flare, the heat rising in my chest.

Frustration starting to churn inside me, threatening to spill over. 

So much frustration. And I don’t know where to put it - don’t know how to handle it. It needs an outlet - fast. Now.

I grab the thing nearest to me and throw it after her. 

Drip. Drip. Drip. I cannot unhear the sound of her blood dripping onto the floor. 

Drip. Drip. Drip. Guilt is slowly replacing the anger I have felt so strong inside of me only moments before.

Drip. Drip. Drip. The stupid anger that made me see red and grab the lamp from the nightstand. 

Drip. Drip. Drip. The nightstand. Our nightstand. 

Drip. Drip. Drip. To throw at her, only to regret it seconds later.

Drip. Drip. Drip. When I heard her head crack and saw the blood spill.

Drip. Drip. Drip. When I dropped the lamp and rushed towards her. 

Drip. Drip. Drip. When I felt her body give way in my arms.

Drip. Drip. Drip. And realized what I have done. 

Drip. Drip. Drip. Can someone make it stop?

Drip. Drip. Drip. I cannot stand it anymore!

Drip. Drip. Drip. Can she just stop bleeding?

Drip. Drip. Drip. Can someone please just kill the noise?

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Drip. Drip.

Drip. 

As the Arborio rice softens and slowly absorbs the broth, the kitchen fills with a warm, inviting aroma. An unmistakable sign that something truly special is coming together. By each slow stir, the risotto transforms into that signature creamy texture melting in your mouth in every bite. Risotto is not just a meal, it is a ritual, a moment of slowed time and satisfaction of creating something amazing. So grab your spoon, pour yourself a glass of wine (Leave some for the cooking ;)), and let’s make the perfect risotto together.

Ingredients

500g mixed mushrooms (cleaned and cut in quarters)

1 medium yellow onion (chopped)

2 cloves of garlic, finely (chopped)

1½ cups uncooked Arborio rice (rinsed)

4 tablespoons olive oil

150 ml cup dry white wine

50 g grated Parmesan cheese

1 l vegetable broth

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

Salt

Black pepper

Chopped fresh parsley

Grated parmesan cheese

Method

1. Heat up 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pot, add the mushrooms together with some salt and pepper and fry at medium heat until soft and browned. Remove from the pot and put aside.

   
   

2. Add 2 more tablespoons of olive oil to the pot and fry the onion until softened. Add the garlic, thyme and rice and cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and cook for another 2-3 minutes for the wine to cook down.

   
   

3. Add the broth - 100 ml at a time. Stir constantly and allow each part of the broth to be absorbed by the rice before adding the next. When you add the last part of the broth add the mushrooms - keep some for later as garnish - and cook until the risotto is creamy and the rice is done. Then add the cheese and season to your liking.

   
   

4. Garnish with the remaining mushrooms, parsley and more parmesan

Enjoy!