Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms and Mascarpone

So this was in CL, as a classic (meaning they had already posted it before). D and I had had the 2005 version. This one is slightly different. I really couldn't tell the difference. This was the first time we had it as the main dish though.

Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms and Mascarpone

Meaty, woodsy mushrooms and a dollop of buttery Italian cream cheese make this rich dish a risotto to remember.

2 cups boiling water
1 cup dried porcini mushrooms (about 1 ounce)
1 (14-ounce) can less-sodium beef broth
Cooking spray
1 cup uncooked Arborio rice
3/4 cup chopped shallots
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup (1 ounce) mascarpone cheese
Fresh thyme leaves (optional)

1. Combine 2 cups boiling water and mushrooms; let stand 30 minutes or until soft. Drain through a colander over a bowl. Reserve 1 1/2 cups soaking liquid; chop mushrooms.

2. Bring soaking liquid and broth to a simmer in a small saucepan (do not boil). Keep broth mixture warm.

3. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add rice, shallots, and garlic; sauté 5 minutes. Add wine, and cook until liquid evaporates (about 2 minutes).

4. Add 1 cup broth mixture to rice mixture; cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until the liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Add remaining broth mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of the broth mixture is absorbed before adding the next (about 25 minutes total). Add mushrooms, grated cheese, chopped thyme, salt, and pepper; stir gently until cheese melts. Spoon 1 cup risotto into each of 4 bowls. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon mascarpone and thyme leaves, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings

CALORIES 369 ; FAT 15g (sat 7.9g,mono 4.1g,poly 0.6g); CHOLESTEROL 39mg; CALCIUM 115mg; CARBOHYDRATE 48g; SODIUM 570mg; PROTEIN 11.5g; FIBER 4.2g; IRON 2.1mg

Cooking Light, JANUARY 2010