Spring mushroom risotto

Method

1. Place the dried ceps in a jug and fill with 1 litre of boiling water, then add the saffron. Stand for 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter, then add the whole garlic cloves and onions, then sprinkle with the sugar. Sauté for 5 minutes, until the onions are soft. Add the St George’s, morels and horse or button mushrooms and sauté for 2 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt, then add the rice, coating with the mixture and add the wine and lemon. Bring to a high simmer to reduce the liquid.
3. Add a ladle of the cep and saffron water, and reduce it down, stirring as you go. Remove the rehydrated dried ceps from the water, chop and add to the saucepan. Continue to add the water, a ladle at a time, reducing it each time, whilst constantly stirring. This should take around 20 minutes. Stir in the pom pom mushrooms and the tin of tomatoes and reduce down, again stirring constantly. Mix in the olives and parsley, then season with pepper, and serve.

From food writer Liz O’Keefe’s upcoming mushroom cookbook co-authored with the Mushroom Man Michael Hyams.

Due to be published late autumn with Lorenz Books; ISBN 9780754832867).

Image by Jon Ashford; copyright Anness Publishing Ltd.