6) 12 to 14 ounces sliced Cremini (baby portobello) mushrooms,
debris rinsed from mushrooms and drained
7) 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
8) ½ cup dry white wine, optional
9) 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
10) 1 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
11) Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12) 4 sprigs fresh oregano, leaves removed from stems and larger
leaves torn into small pieces
Steps
1) Make sure your oven rack is in the middle position. Preheat oven to
375 degrees.
2) Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium Dutch oven over medium heat
until shimmering. Add onion and a pinch of salt.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for ten minutes, then add the minced
garlic.
Cook for another 2 to 4 minutes, until the onions are well browned.
3) Add 4 cups broth (or 3 cups broth and 1 cup water), cover, and bring
to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and stir in the rice.
4) Cover the pot and bake until rice is tender and cooked through, about
65 to 70 minutes. It will seem pretty dry when you take off the lid, but
don’t worry!
5) During the last 20 minutes of baking time, prepare the mushrooms.
Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet until shimmering. Add
the cleaned, sliced mushrooms to the pot with a dash of salt.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are darker in color,
fragrant and have soaked up most of their own juices, about 13 minutes.
6) Remove the pot from the oven. Pour in the remaining cup of broth, the
Parmesan, wine, butter, salt, and a generous amount of pepper.
7) Stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and
creamy. Stir in the mushroom mixture and any remaining juices.
Season to taste with salt and pepper, divide into bowls and top with a
generous sprinkling of torn, fresh oregano leaves.
Notes
1) When Using White Arborio Rice: Bake it for 40 to 45 minutes, until
tender to the bite, and proceed as directed.
2) No Dutch Oven: Use a large saucepan instead, then carefully pour the
boiling broth and rice mixture into a casserole dish.
If the casserole dish has an oven-safe lid, use that; if not, cover it
tightly with foil. Bake as directed.