Creamy Mushroom Risotto: A Luxurious Comfort on a Plate

  Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (cremini, shiitake, or a mix)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 1/4 cup vegan butter (or regular butter)
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (optional, for a cheesy flavor)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup vegan Parmesan cheese (or regular Parmesan cheese)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• In a saucepan, heat the vegetable broth over low heat. Keep it warm while you prepare the risotto.
• In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent.
• Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Sauté for another 5-6 minutes until the mushrooms are golden and have released their moisture. Remove a small portion of the cooked mushrooms to use as a garnish later.
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• Add the Arborio rice to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice grains are well-coated with oil and slightly translucent around the edges.
• If using wine, pour it into the skillet and stir until it's mostly absorbed by the rice.
• Begin adding the warm vegetable broth to the skillet, one ladleful at a time. Stir constantly and allow each ladleful of broth to be absorbed before adding the next. This process will take about 18-20 minutes and is crucial for achieving the creamy texture of risotto.
• Once the rice is tender and creamy, stir in the vegan butter and nutritional yeast (if using) to enhance the creaminess and flavor.
• Season the risotto with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that the broth and vegan parmesan will also add some saltiness.
• Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the reserved sautéed mushrooms, chopped parsley, and vegan parmesan cheese.
• Let the risotto rest for a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Serve the creamy mushroom risotto hot, garnished with additional parsley and a sprinkle of vegan parmesan cheese if desired.
• Enjoy your Creamy Mushroom Risotto, a luxurious comfort food that's sure to delight your taste buds with its rich and savory flavors!