Description
Creamy mushroom rice brings earthy woodland flavors straight from Italian countryside kitchens to your dinner table. Hearty grains mingle with rich umami mushrooms, creating a comforting side dish that will delight anyone seeking simple, elegant culinary pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (200 g) long-grain rice (basmati or jasmine)
- 1 ½ cups (150 g) mushrooms, sliced (white button, cremini, or shiitake)
- 2 cups (500 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Heat butter in a spacious skillet, allowing it to melt and create a golden base for the aromatic vegetables.
- Introduce diced onions into the melted butter, gently sautéing until they become translucent and softened.
- Incorporate minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, stirring continuously to ensure even cooking and develop a rich, caramelized flavor.
- Introduce raw rice to the vegetable mixture, gently toasting the grains to enhance their nutty essence and prevent clumping.
- Pour in fragrant broth, seasoning with salt, pepper, and thyme to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Elevate the heat to trigger a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, covering the skillet to trap steam and moisture.
- Allow the rice to cook undisturbed, absorbing the liquid and developing a tender, fluffy texture.
- Once liquid is completely absorbed and rice reaches perfect doneness, remove from heat and let it rest briefly.
- Delicately fluff the rice with a fork, creating light and separated grains.
- Finish by folding in fresh chopped parsley and optional Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of complexity.
- Serve immediately while warm, presenting a versatile and comforting side dish.
Notes
- Choose cremini or shiitake mushrooms for deeper, richer umami flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Use short-grain or medium-grain rice for creamier texture and better liquid absorption compared to long-grain varieties.
- Toast rice briefly before adding liquid to enhance nutty undertones and prevent mushy consistency.
- For gluten-free version, replace butter with olive oil and ensure broth is certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg