PORCINI MUSHROOM SEASON RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Place the mushrooms in a bowl and cover with 180ml of boiling water. Set aside to soak for 5 minutes, then drain, reserving the soaking liquid.
  2. When they are soaked, chop the porcini and place in a 3-litre casserole dish with the reserved soaking liquid. Trim and chop the chicken thighs, then peel and crush the garlic. Add both to the casserole dish along with the rice and stock. Pick in most of the thyme leaves, reserving a few for garnish. Stir everything to combine, cover tightly with tinfoil and cook for 35 to 40 minutes, until the rice is cooked.
  3. Meanwhile, chop up the butter and finely grate the Parmesan. When the risotto is ready, remove from the oven and add the butter and cheese to the risotto. Season with sea salt and black pepper, then stir for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the risotto thickens. Divide between bowls and top with extra Parmesan to serve.

Steps:

• 1. Put the shallots in a bowl and cover with hot water (this makes them easy to peel). Place the dried porcini in another bowl and cover with 150ml of boiling water, then set aside.
  2. Roughly chop the portobello mushrooms and halve any larger shiitake and chestnut mushrooms, leaving the small ones whole. Heat half of the butter with 1 tablespoon oil in a casserole pan over a medium heat. Fry the mushrooms in batches, until coloured but still firm, adding another tablespoon of oil between each batch. Tip the mushrooms into a bowl and set aside.
  3. Heat the remaining butter in the pan, peel the shallots, halving any larger ones, peel and cut the carrots into 2cm slices and fry for 8 minutes, or until the veg gets some colour, stirring occasionally. Peel and chop the garlic and add for the final 2 minutes.
  4. Add the thyme, bay and wine. Strain in the porcini liquid into the pan, roughly chop the porcini and add to the pan along with the tomato purée, then simmer for 25 minutes, or until the wine has reduced slightly and the veg are cooked through. Season to taste and fish out the thyme stalks and bay leaves.
  5. Stir the cooked mushrooms into the sauce along with any juices, heating through for a couple of minutes. Season and serve. Nice with some creamy mash on the side.