Instructions

Toast the nuts

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Chop the hazelnuts.

In a sheet pan, spread the nuts in an even layer and toast in the oven until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

Make the stock

Remove the stems from the mushrooms.
With the side of a knife, smash one of the garlic cloves.
Peel and slice the shallots. Reserve the peels.

In a 4-quart sauce pot, combine the mushroom stems, smashed garlic, shallot peels, 1 sprig thyme and 1 sprig oregano with 2½ cups water. Season with salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until flavorful, about 15 minutes.
While the stock cooks, prepare the sausage.

Brown the sausage

Cut the sausage into 1-inch pieces.

In a frying pan over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon oil until hot but not smoking. Add the sausage and cook until well browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
Meanwhile,

Chop oregano and thyme.
Cut the mushroom caps into quarters.
Mince the remaining garlic.

Make the risotto

In the same pan used to brown the sausage, cook the shallots and garlic, adding a little more oil if the pan seems dry, over medium-high heat until just beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Stir in the rice and cook until opaque, about 3 minutes. Add 1/3 cup water or the white wine, if using, and cook until completely absorbed, about 2 minutes. Add the mushroom caps, season with salt, and cook until they begin to soften and release their juices, about 5 minutes. Strain the warm stock directly into the pan (discard the solids). Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. The rice should be just tender and a little bit runny. While the risotto cooks, make the basil oil.

Make the basil oil

Chop the basil.

In a small bowl, mix the basil with 1 tablespoon oil and the sherry vinegar. Season with salt.

Serve

Remove the risotto from the heat and stir in the sausage, herbs, and parmesan cheese. Transfer to individual bowls and garnish with hazelnuts. Drizzle the basil oil on top.

CHEF’S TIP

If the risotto seems be drying out too much while cooking, add a couple tablespoons of water at a time to achieve a creamy consistency.

Italian sausage and mushroom risotto with basil oil

Name: Italian sausage and mushroom risotto with basil oil
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: Hazelnuts; Cremini mushrooms; 2 garlic cloves; 1-2 shallots; Fresh thyme; Fresh oregano; 2 links Italian sausage; ½ cup Arborio rice; Fresh basil; Sherry vinegar; ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Gluten Free, Soy Free

2 Servings, 810 Calories/Serving

45 Minutes

Conventional risotto recipes ask the cook to stand over the stove, stirring constantly and adding stock to the pan in a steady stream. Chef Justine takes an unorthodox approach and adds all the liquid at once, covers the pan and stirs only occasionally. The result is a risotto every bit as delicious a traditional one with a whole lot less fuss.

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Ingredients

Hazelnuts
Cremini mushrooms
2 garlic cloves
1-2 shallots
Fresh thyme
Fresh oregano
2 links Italian sausage
½ cup Arborio rice
Fresh basil
Sherry vinegar
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese