Smoked-Gouda Risotto with Spinach and Mushrooms

When I go home to Wisconsin, I cook. A. Lot. On the eve of my uncles 80th birthday, I wanted to make something special, this is what I came up with.

Smoked-Gouda Risotto with Spinach and Mushrooms

Risotto

2 cups water

32 ounce container of chicken broth, fat-free

1 tablespoon butter

1/3 cup chopped shallots

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 cups Arborio rice (do not use regular white rice)

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

8 ounces smoked Gouda cheese, chopped

5 cups chopped fresh spinach

Mushrooms

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cups sliced Shiitake mushroom caps (3.5 ounces)

2 cups sliced Portobello mushrooms (1/2 pound)

2 cups sliced Cremini mushrooms (3.5 ounces)

1/3 cup chopped shallots

1/4 cup dry wine

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (if using dried, cut to 1 teaspoon)

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary (if using dried, cut to 1 teaspoon)

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

sea salt and pepper to taste

Before you start to sauté anything, have all of your chopping, mincing, slicing done and ready to go. Once you have started the risotto there is no stopping.

For the risotto, combine the water and chicken stock; set aside. Melt the butter in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup shallots and garlic, sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add rice; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/2 cup of wine and cook until liquid is almost absorbed, stirring constantly. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup of broth mixture. Stir constantly until liquid is absorbed. Continue adding the broth mixture 1/2 cup at a time while stirring until absorbed.

This should take roughly 20 minutes. Stir in Gouda; cook until melted. Stir in chopped spinach and cook until wilted.

For the mushrooms, heat olive oil in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the shallots, garlic, wine, thyme, and rosemary, continue sautéing until the wine is absorbed. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.