Multi-Mushroom Risotto

Preparation time: 10 minutes

4 servings

Cooking time: 25 minutes

502 calories per serving, 14% from fat

RealAge effect if eaten 12 times a year:

RealAge-effect ingredients:

Low in fat and very low in sodium, our risotto is bursting with B vitamins, especially niacin. It makes your RealAge 5.3 days younger.

Mushrooms, olive oil, shallots, spinach, walnuts (B vitamins, potassium, flavonoids, healthy fats, calcium)

ingredients

3½ cups fat-free beef or mushroom broth

½ ounce dried porcini mushrooms

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup sliced shallots (about 3 large)

2 (4-ounce) packages sliced exotic mushrooms, such as Pennsylvania Farms brand

1½ cups Arborio rice (see Tips)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

4 cups packed baby spinach leaves

2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or toasted walnuts (optional)

preparation

Place broth in a medium saucepan. Use scissors or kitchen shears to cut porcini mushrooms into ½-inch pieces; add to broth. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat; keep broth at a constant gentle simmer while preparing risotto.

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and shallots; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add mushrooms; cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add rice; cook and stir 1 minute. Add 1 cup simmering porcini-broth mixture to skillet. Cook, stirring frequently until broth is absorbed. Continue adding broth ½ cup at a time, keeping rice mixture at a constant simmer and stirring until broth is absorbed. Repeat process until rice is cooked just through, about 18 minutes total. When all broth mixture is used, stir in salt and pepper to taste and check rice for doneness. If rice is too firm, add ½ cup hot water and continue to cook and stir. Mixture should have a creamy texture.

Arrange 1 cup spinach on each of four large plates. Spoon risotto over spinach to wilt. Using a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler or cheese plane, shave cheese over risotto. Sprinkle with thyme or walnuts, or both, if desired.

substitutions: Crimini mushrooms may replace all or part of the exotic mushrooms, and low-salt chicken broth may replace the beef or mushroom broth. Button mushrooms will give you more mushrooms, but not more mushroom flavor.

tips: Arborio rice is an Italian medium-grain rice. To add a subtle wine flavor to the risotto, add ½ cup dry vermouth or dry white wine to the sautéed rice and let the rice absorb the wine before adding the broth. The alcohol evaporates quickly, and the whole dish is transformed—just a tinge of lemon-like pucker behind every rich and creamy bite.

nutritional analysis

Total fat (g) 7.4

Sodium (mg) 430

Vitamin A (RE) 154

Fat calories (kc) 67

Calcium (mg) 193

Beta-carotene (RE) 42

Cholesterol (mg) 14.5

Magnesium (mg) 62

Vitamin C (mg) 36

Saturated fat (g) 1.4

Zinc (mg) 2.2

Vitamin E (mg) 3.1

Polyunsaturated fat (g) 1.3

Selenium (mcg) 30

Thiamin B1 (mg) 0.5

Monounsaturated fat (g) 3.4

Potassium (mg) 683

Riboflavin B2 (mg) 0.5

Fiber (g) 6.2

Flavonoids (mg) 1.7

Niacin B3 (mg) 8.2

Carbohydrates (g) 71.2

Lycopene (mg) 0

Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.3

Sugar (g) 5.2

Fish (oz) 0

Folic acid (mcg) 73

Protein (g) 15.7

Nuts (oz) 0

Vitamin B12 (mcg) 0.3