Mushroom and spinach risotto

Author: Jennie Milsom

Photographer: Joanna Wickham

Serves: 4

Time to make: 15 mins , plus time to make Herby onion rice*

Ingredients

More weights & measures

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 cups sliced mushrooms (I used Swiss browns)

1 quantity Herby onion rice*

50g semi-soft cheese, cubed (I used fruity port salut – brie or camembert work well, too)

1 big handful baby spinach leaves

*Herby onion rice

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 onions, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or rosemary

salt and pepper

1 ½ cups medium-grain rice

3 cups vegetable stock

Instructions

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1 Heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and fry for 5 minutes until golden and juicy. Add the herby onion rice and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until hot through. Add a splash of hot water if it starts to stick.

2 Add the cheese and spinach and heat for 1 minute, stirring, then divide among 4 bowls and serve.

*Herby onion rice

Heat olive oil in a large heavy-based saucepan. Add onions and thyme or rosemary. Season and cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring regularly, until the onions are soft. (Cooking the onions slowly brings out their gorgeous sweetness.) Add rice and vegetable stock then cover and bring to the boil. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is almost cooked. (Under-cook the rice slightly so it retains some bite, as it will finish cooking in the recipe.)

You can also use this rice as a base in these recipes:

Spiced smoked fish in creamy parsley rice
Chicken and bacon paella
Stir-fried steak with citrus basil dressing

Variations

The choice of cheese is up to you, but go for one that will melt easily.

HFG tip

If you want to get ahead, cook the mushrooms the day before and chill until needed.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 374cal

Kilojoules 1565kJ

Protein 11.5g

Total fat 10.8g

–Saturated fat 3.1g

Carbohydrates 58.3g

–Sugars 4.8g

Dietary fibre 2.8g

Sodium 765mg

Calcium 120mg

Iron 2.5mg

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.