My Motto

May the muffin rise to greet you, may your friends be always at your door, and until we meet again, warm a single-malt in the palm of your hand and make something homemade for someone you love.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Pumpkin Mushroom Parmesan Risotto

"My way of joking is to tell the truth. it's the funniest joke in the world."
George Bernard Shaw
Let me tell you about the night I had.  We have two dogs.  One is a 10 year old Border Terrier named Tully, who is such a sweetie she doesn't even need a leash.  The other is a two year old Maltipoo named Abby, who is fluffy and adorable, but kind of a menace (we also have a parrot, but that's another story).  Right before bed the dogs are always brought outside one last time.
                       Border Terriers....hopefully not chasing skunks!
You know how dogs say hello to each other?  Yeah that.  Well Tully ran up to a huge skunk to check his calling card (naturally) and got sprayed point blank in the face, the poor thing.  Now that is just rude. Have you ever smelled skunk up close and personal?  It's so bad you can hardly breathe.  And it lingers...for-ev-er.  It's enough to get your shorts in a knot.  My job was to go online and find a recipe for "de-skunking solution."  Luckily, the Mister tackled the actual dirty job.  Where is Mike Rowe when you need him?  It worked surprisingly well and although you probably can still detect Eau-De-Skunk around here, it's better than last time (yes, rewind 11 years, different dog, Audrey's fifth birthday party, skunked dog running all through it..Murphy's Law, after all).  It can get a little nutty here.  I once hosted a traveling troupe of college singers for a weekend and one of them commented that our family was like a sitcom.  Is that good or bad?

But I digress...the risotto.

Not being a professional writer by trade, I cannot properly express my excitement over this dish.  It was savory, creamy, yet toothsome, and as comforting as an embrace.  I loved it!  Risotto is not difficult, you just have to stand there and stir it constantly for 20 minutes.  Tending it is the key to it's creamy richness, but you are amply rewarded for your efforts with this dish.  It can be a side dish, but it's also good enough to stand alone as a meatless meal.

This recipe was inspired by and adapted from the pumpkin risotto recipe in the Better Homes and Gardens Special Publication, Ultimate Italian, at newsstands now.  I recommend it if you happen across it, there are tons of great recipes and I plan on working my way through it.

Pumpkin Mushroom Parmesan Risotto


2 to 2 1/2 cups water
1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
4 ounces baby bella mushrooms, diced small (pieces should equal 1 cup)
1 garlic clove, run through garlic press, or minced
2 cups uncooked arborio rice
1 cup dry white wine
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt
Several grinds fresh black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese


In a medium saucepan, bring water and broth to boil.  Set aside.  In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic and mushrooms.  Cook about 3 minutes or until onion is tender.  Add uncooked rice.  Cook and stir for 3 minutes until rice begins to brown.


Slowly add the wine to the rice mixture, stirring constantly.  Continue to cook and stir over medium heat until liquid is absorbed.  Stir in the seasonings.  Now you will begin to slowly add the hot chicken broth mixture.  Add to rice 1/2 cup at a time, slowly and stirring constantly.  When all the liquid is absorbed, add 1/2 cup more, again slowly and stirring constantly. Keep stirring until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is slightly creamy and just tender (this should take about 20 minutes). Stir in pumpkin and Parmesan cheese; heat through.  Serve immediately.  Makes 4-6 servings.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I prefer to think of the family as having put the "fun" in disfunctional. But life is never dull. As a trained writer, I think your blog is really on par with the "professional" ones out there. You probably could get a gig writing for them! GOOD LUCK and watch out for skunks

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

Thank you so much. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your encouraging words! And yes, you are so right...things are NEVER dull!

Biren said...

Writing does not come easily for me too and there are many days when I don't even know how to begin a post. I guess some people just have the flair for it. I am hoping practice makes perfect :)

This risotto sounds delicious with the pumpkin. Great for this time of the year.

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

Thanks Biren! Like I tell my daughter, who has to write a lot for school..."just START."

Anonymous said...

if you ever want to branch out... i'll give you some contacts! Eat up!

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

>>if you ever want to branch out... i'll give you some contacts! Eat up!<<
That would be great. You can email me at margaretmt66@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

oh, yum. thanks for sharing.

aleahy said...

That sounds really good-but what exactly do you serve it with? Or do you eat it by itself?

Anonymous said...

will send you a list of contacts from my various peeps around North America

Anonymous said...

will send you a list of contacts from my various peeps around North America

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

Alisa, It is great as a side dish to grilled or roasted meat, or you could make it a light, meatless meal.

Anna Johnston said...

Hey Margaret, came across your blog thru Twitter & loved the skunk twist. We've both done Risotto's this week. Love a good orangey pumpkin risotto, so... thanks for sharing. Look forward to returning.
Cheers Anna

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

Hi Anna,
Saw your risotto....looks GOOD!
Thanks for stopping by!
Tweet ya later!

Kim T said...

You're writing is great - personal, conversational, and informative, giving readers a friend vibe and making you easy to relate to. I also love the vocab you are using (I am in SAT Prep zone currently with my students).

Keep up the great blog - I will contribute a recipe for Sundays once things calm down (not completely, but calmer). Hope Tully smells better soon. Ashley sends hugs to you, Audrey, and the pups!

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

Kim,
Thank you, I'm humbled...so nice of you to say. Re: the Guest Sunday recipe...can't wait to get it, and if you want to write a little intro for it, you can; or tell me and I'll write it. Whatever you prefer.
Hugs to Ashley too! Have fun with SAT prep!

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

>>will send you a list of contacts<< That would be great, thanks!

முரசொலி மாறன்.V said...

I like this blog. But we do cook with lots of 'masala'

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

Thank you! I had to google Masala to see what it was. Sounds good! If you like, send me a recipe and I'll try to make it (if I can find Masala around here.) Thanks for stopping by!

Meagan said...

Made this last nite and served it as a side to grilled chicken. Hade never made risotto before but this tasted great! I guess I did it right!! Looking forward to more of your creative recipes to try:)

Margaret Murphy Tripp said...

Thanks Meaghan, I'm glad it came out good for you!

P.s. Thanks for the encouragement...as long as people keep reading...I'll keep posting ;-)