Oven-baked Wild Mushroom Risotto

35 minutes

Serves 6 as a starter. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see questions Lindsey has answered on this recipe

Vegetarian

This recipe is from The Delia Collection: Italian.

I got a lot of flack from the purists when I first published this recipe, but my friend and fellow cookery writer Anna Del Conte reassured me by explaining that in Liguria they do sometimes cook risotto in the oven. So all is well.

The Delia Online Cookery School: You can watch how to make this recipe in our video, just click the image to play.

Vegetarians might like to know you can buy a Parmesan 'style' cheese from Bookham and Harrison Farms Ltd.

Got a question on Delia's recipes? Ask Lindsey

Ask a Question

Making a double batch of oven-baked risotto

Asked by: Twinkle Toes

Hi Lindsey! I'd like to make Delia's Baked Mushroom Risotto for 4. Should I just double the ingredients, and make it in a larger dish - or is it not that simple for a risotto? Thank you. Twinkle Toes

Answered by Lindsey: Hello Twinkle Toes, Yes, you can double all the ingredients. The cooking time and temperature will be the same but yes as you say you will need a larger dish. Kind regards Lindsey

About Dark Gilled Mushrooms

Asked by: Jenny

Hi Lindsey I have noticed in Delia’s oven baked risotto the recipe asks for brown grilled mushrooms. Can you explain what these are?

Answered by Lindsey: Hello, Dark gilled mushrooms are often the ones you’ll find in an economy pack. The look like a small version of large white flat mushrooms. You are more likely to find Portabellini mushrooms nowadays, which are about the same size, still dark gilled but they are a chestnut brown colour. We often use Portabellini mushrooms on place of dark gilled. Or you can also use Chestnut mushrooms, these are closed so don’t expose their gills but they are lovely and firm and taste good. Best wishes Lindsey

Freezing Risotto

Asked by: Headland13

Can the oven baked mushroom risotto be frozen please ?

Answered by Lindsey: Hello, Cook the risotto and leave it to cool at room temperature. Freeze in a rigid plastic container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating or place frozen risotto in the oven in a covered dish to heat through gently at 180°C for 20-30 minutes until piping hot. Complete the recipe. Best wishes Lindsey

Method

First of all you need to soak the dried porcini mushrooms and to do this, you place them in a jug or a bowl and pour 570 ml of boiling water over them.

Then just leave them to soak and soften for half an hour. Meanwhile, chop the fresh mushrooms into 1 cm chunks – not too small, as they shrink down quite a bit in the cooking. Now melt the butter in a medium saucepan, add the onion and let it cook over a gentle heat for about 5 minutes, then add the fresh mushrooms, stir well and leave on one side while you deal with the porcini. When they have had their half-hour soak, place a sieve over a bowl, line the sieve with a sheet of kitchen paper and strain the mushrooms, reserving the liquid. Squeeze any excess liquid out of them, then chop them finely and transfer to the pan to join the other mushrooms and the onion.

Keep the heat low and let the onions and mushrooms sweat gently and release their juices – which will take about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, put the dish in the oven to warm. Now add the rice and stir it around to get a good coating of butter, then add the Madeira, followed by the strained mushroom soaking liquid. Add a level teaspoon of salt and some freshly milled black pepper, stir and bring up to simmering point, then transfer the whole lot from the pan to the warmed dish. Stir once then place it on the centre shelf of the oven without covering. Set a timer and give it 20 minutes exactly. After that, gently stir in the grated Parmigiano Reggiano, turning the rice grains over. Now put the timer on again and give it a further 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and put a clean tea cloth over it while you invite everyone to be seated. Like soufflés, risottos won't wait, so serve presto, pronto on warmed plates and sprinkle with the shavings of Parmigiano Reggiano.

Dried Porcini Mushrooms available from Fruttibosco. Various sizes including a 10g pack - just the right amount for Delia's risotto.

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