Chef John's Baked Mushroom Risotto

The beginning and the end of this risotto recipe are pretty standard, but we've moved the middle 15 minutes into the oven in an attempt to eliminate those dreaded 'variables.' Besides being easier and more repeatable, this method produced a risotto that was identical in looks, taste, and texture to anything I can do on the stove.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 480 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
• ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 cups chicken broth, divided
• ½ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• 3 cups diced mushrooms
• 1 cup carnaroli rice

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Melt butter in large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; season with salt, and cook and stir mushrooms until brown. They will begin browning after the moisture evaporates.

Step 3

Reduce heat to medium and stir in onion. Sprinkle with black pepper and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until onions are translucent and soft.

Step 4

Pour rice into skillet and stir until each rice grain is coated with butter. Season with salt.

Step 5

Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the rice mixture. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring rice until liquid is completely absorbed by the rice.

Step 6

Pour another cup chicken stock into the rice and stir until mixture comes to a simmer.

Step 7

Bake in preheated oven until grains are almost tender but still slightly firm, about 15 minutes. Transfer skillet to stovetop. Season with more salt, if necessary.

Step 8

Combine the remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth and cream; pour into the skillet. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until rice is tender, 1 or 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.

Step 9

Drizzle 2 tablespoons cream over rice. Add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and chives; stir. Serve immediately.