Mother's Day 219- Impress Your Mother With Mushroom Risotto

When people ask me what I like to cook most (and people ask alllllll the time), my answer is always risotto. I find the stirring very therapeutic. And every time I make it, I think it's better than the last.

Ingredients

8 c.low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 tbsp.extra-virgin olive oil
1onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp.butter, divided
2cloves garlic, minced
1 lb.button mushrooms, sliced
1bay leaf
4sprigs thyme, leaves removed
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 c.arborio rice
1/2 c.white wine
1 c.freshly grated Parmesan
3/4 c.frozen peas, thawed
2 tbsp.chopped fresh parsley

Method

* In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring chicken broth to a simmer. Reduce heat to low.

* In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon butter, garlic, mushrooms, bay leaf and thyme. Cook until the mushrooms have softened and are golden, about 4 more minutes, then season with salt and pepper. Remove mixture from the pot.

* Melt remaining tablespoon butter in the pot and add the arborio rice, stirring quickly. Cook until the grains are well-coated and smell slightly toasty, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until the wine has mostly absorbed.

* With a ladle, add about 1 cup hot broth. Stirring often, cook until the rice has mostly absorbed liquid. Add remaining broth about 1 cup at a time, continuing to allow the rice to absorb each addition of broth before adding more. Stir often and cook until the risotto is al dente and creamy, not mushy. (You might not need all the broth.)

* Add the mushroom mixture back into the rice.

* Stir in Parmesan and peas then garnish with parsley. Serve warm.