Mushroom Risotto with Basil Pesto

If you’ve tried any of Ali’s recipes in the past you’ll know that The Messy Cheffy does not disappoint when it comes to creating mouth-watering and nutritious vegetarian meals, and this Mushroom Risotto is no exception! It has a wonderful creamy texture and the pesto compliments the flavoursome rice mixture perfectly. You can also make this vegan, just substitute with dairy-free milk and cream as per the recipe below.

Mushroom Risotto with Basil Pesto

Ingredients:

2 cups arborio rice

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves crushed garlic

1 large onion diced

2 cups chopped mushrooms

1/2 cup white wine

4.5 cups vegetable stock

1/2 cup cream (cream of your choice you can use cashew or soy – although I find coconut doesn’t work too well).

50g cheese (of your choice)

2 tablespoons pesto

Salt and pepper

Method:

Peel and fine dice the onion.

Peel the garlic and crush each clove.

Dice the mushrooms to medium size.

Heat a large deep pan to medium heat. Add two tablespoons of olive oil to the pan.

Add the garlic and onions and cook until translucent.

Add the chopped mushrooms and cook until soft.

Pour in half a cup of white wine, allow the wine to reduce by half. Reduce the heat to a low heat.

Add the 2 cups of arborio rice to the pan and stir. Allow the arborio rice to soak up the remaining wine. Once the arborio rice has absorbed the wine add one cup of stock to the pan at a time. Ensuring to stir often. As soon as each cup of liquid is absorbed it’s time to add another. This may take some time – approx. 15mins.

Taste the rice after the last of the stock has been added, if it needs more add it. Little by little.

When you’re satisfied the rice is soft taste it again and season with salt and pepper (being cautious the stock may have added enough salt).

Remove from the heat.

Stir in the half cup of cream of your choice and the cheese.

Serve with a generous spoonful of pesto on top.

Enjoy

Ali xx

If you’d like to be inspired with more vegetarian cooking ideas follow The Messy Cheffy on Instagram or check out her website. The Cajun Cauliflower Wings are delish!