Searching for wild chanterelles is kind of like an adult Easter egg hunt – they usually pop up after the second big rain of the autumn.  Once you are SURE that you have chanterelles in your basket, try this risotto with your finds.  Pairs wonderfully with our Estate Sauvignon Blanc.

Ingredients
1 pound chanterelle mushrooms (or shiitake)
3 tablespoons butter (preferably Irish)
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 cups vegetable stock
2 tablespoons Round Pond Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 medium shallot, diced
1-1/2 cups Arborio rice
¼ cup white wine
½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
dash of freshly grated nutmeg
¼ cup minced chives

If using chanterelle mushrooms, gently clean out the grit under running water with a brush and let them dry overnight. Thinly slice mushrooms and sauté in melted butter in a cast iron pan for 5-8 minutes, until the mushrooms have released their moisture and the liquid has evaporated from the pan. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Bring the vegetable stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan.

Heat the Round Pond Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a large, deep-sided skillet over medium heat and sauté shallot and rice for 3-5 minutes, until slightly translucent. Pour in wine and scrape up anything stuck to the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low.

Ladle in a cup of vegetable stock and stir until stock is nearly all absorbed. Repeat until the rice is al dente and residual broth remains about 30 minutes. Scrape the mushrooms and any sauce left in the cast iron pan into the rice and stir to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper.

Stir in the cheese, nutmeg, and chives. Serve the risotto warm.

Enjoy!

Serves 4