Mushroom risotto

Method

1. Heat a knob of the butter and the olive oil in a shallow pan over a medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and gently fry until softened but not coloured, stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile put the stock in a separate pan, and bring to the boil. Keep it simmering while you make the risotto

3. Add the rice to the onions and cook for a couple of minutes until glossy, stirring all the time with a wooden spoon. Add the wine and cook until all the liquid has been absorbed by the rice.

4. Drain the dried mushrooms reserving the soaking liquid. Add a ladleful of the hot chicken stock and the soaking liquid from the dried mushrooms to the rice mixture, and continue to cook over a medium heat until the rice has absorbed all the liquid, stirring all the time.

5. Continue to add the hot stock, a ladleful at a time, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid before adding the next ladleful, until the rice is tender but still retains a bite (this will take 15-20 minutes). Use as much of the stock as necessary to cook the risotto.

6. Meanwhile, heat the remaining butter in a separate frying pan over a medium heat, add the fresh and soaked dried mushrooms and fry for a few minutes, stirring, until lightly cooked.

7. Stir the fried mushrooms into the risotto along with the parmesan cheese and serve immediately.