Gorgonzola Risotto with Wild Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS

* 2 ounces dried chanterelle mushrooms
* 1 1/2 teaspoons butter
* 1 teaspoon truffle oil (optional)
* 1 chopped onion
* 2 shallots, minced
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 3 ounces sliced fresh button mushrooms
* 1 (12 ounce) package Arborio rice
* 1/2 cup dry white wine
* 1 quart hot chicken stock
* 2 tablespoons heavy cream
* 2 tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, or to taste
* ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

* Cover chanterelle mushrooms with hot water, cover, and set aside to soften for 30 mins. Once soft, remove the mushrooms from the water and chop; discard water.
* Melt butter along with truffle oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, shallot, and garlic; cook and stir two minutes until the onion begins to soften. Add the fresh mushrooms, and continue cooking until the mushroom softens and begins to release its liquid. Stir in the chopped chanterelle mushrooms, and cook 3 mins more.
* Add Arborio rice; cook and stir for a few minutes until the rice is well coated with the onion mixture and looks glossy. Stir in the white wine, and cook until nearly evaporated.
* Reduce heat to medium, and add 1/3 of the hot chicken stock. Cook & stir until the chicken stock has been mostly absorbed, about 5 minutes. The risotto should be simmering gently while you stir in the chicken stock. Add half of the remaining stock, and stir for 5 minutes more. Finally add the remaining stock, and continue cooking until the risotto is creamy and the rice is tender, about 5 minutes more. The rice should not be completely soft, but still have a little firmness when you bite into it. You can add a little water if needed to cook the rice to this state.
* Remove risotto from the heat, & stir in the heavy cream & Gorgonzola cheese. Season to taste with salt & pepper, & serve.

http://www.recipewitch.com
http://www.aldram.com

Wild West Pasta Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS

* 1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
* 8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
* 1 (5 ounce) jar stuffed green olives, sliced
* 2 1/2 tablespoons bacon bits
* 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* 1 (16 ounce) bottle ranch-style salad dressing
* 1/2 cup chopped green onions
* 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
* 16 ounces of pasta

DIRECTIONS

* Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta & cook for 8 to 10 mins or until al dente; drain & reserve.
* In a large bowl, combine black olives, green olives, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, bacon bits, dressing, onion, ground black pepper & pasta; mix well.
* Cover bowl, refrigerate to chill for 1 hour, and serve.

http://www.recipewitch.com

http://www.aldram.com