Porcini Mushroom Risotto

Porcini mushrooms. Delicious little things, but pretty expensive, right? Well, Sainsburys have come up with a fantastic way to add that gorgeous taste to your meals without shelling out for a bag of dried mushrooms that, frankly, weighs less than the money it cost to buy them (because really, who outside of London can lay their hands on fresh ones easily?)

As part of their new Speciality Ingredients range, they have produced a porcini mushroom paste that is full of salty, savoury yumminess. They recommend trying it in pasta or soup, however the Scrumptious household enjoy a tasty risotto every now and again so we gave it a go.

It was a resounding success! The paste added that lovely umami taste to the risotto without us having to go through the hassle of soaking the dried mushrooms for hours. We used half a jar which was more than enough to feed us and a hungry toddler. Please bear in mind that cooked rice can be dangerous if left at room temperature so if you are feeding a child using the recipe below, serve as soon as it is cooked and cooled enough. Please also check their salt levels for the day and omit the wine.

**The recipe has been amended from the BBC's Really Easy Risotto recipe**

Porcini Mushroom and Asparagus risotto

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• A handful of white or chestnut mushrooms
• 1 small glass of dry white wine (omit if feeding to a child - why not just drink it while cooking?!)
• 120g arborio risotto rice
• 1/2 jar Sainsbury's Porcini Mushroom paste
• 1 pint hot vegetable stock (try Marigold Reduced Salt Bouillon or  Heinz Cook at Home stock cubes, especially if feeding to a child)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 10g butter
• Freshly grated parmesan
• As many asparagus spears as you like!

Preparation:

1. Heat the oil in a large, heavy based saucepan and add the onion and garlic. Fry over a gentle heat for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the mushrooms and fry for a further 2-3 minutes, until browned.
2. Stir in the rice and coat in the oil. Pour in the wine (if using) and simmer, stirring, until the liquid has been absorbed. Add the porcini mushroom paste and allow to sizzle a little, but don't allow the rice to dry out. Add a ladleful of the stock and simmer, stirring again, until the liquid has been absorbed. Continue adding the stock in this way, until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is plump and tender. 
3. Meanwhile, prepare the asparagus tips by holding at both ends, bending and allowing them to snap. Set aside the tips and chop the stems thinly until you reach the part that feels woody, discard this part. Steam the tips until tender but NOT mushy.
4.  Add the sliced asparagus stems to the risotto and stir through. Cook for a couple of minutes, adding a splash of hot water if it starts to stick. Then stir through most of the chopped basil, parmesan and butter.
5. Allow to sit for a few minutes as this will relax the rice, allowing it to ooze out its starch, making the risotto even creamier. When serving, top with the steamed asparagus tips and a little more chopped basil.

Serve with fresh crusty bread and a green salad.

Yum! I'd love to hear your comments below if you make this, or if you have any questions about the recipe or the product.



Disclaimer: Sainsburys sent me the product for review purposes only

Healthy eating for family car trips

Heading out on a long car journey with the family? Then don’t forget to take enough tasty treats and thirst-quenching drinks to keep them happy.

Don’t be tempted to lug along unhealthy crisps, sweets, chocolate and other junk foods. With a little preparation you can provide nutritious nibbles that the whole family can enjoy – and leave your car crumb-free to boot. 

How much to bring
You should certainly bring a few snacks, but if you’ll be driving over lunch or dinner time, you might want to forgo the expensive offerings at motorway service stations, and prepare a picnic instead.

On the other hand, if you want to get to your destination as quickly as possible and feel it’s impractical to stop for a meal on the way, a big bag of substantial snacks will certainly keep everyone going.

Clean and tidy
It might seem an improbable dream to eat without mess in the car, but there are steps you can take.

• Fresh food and drinks should be packed in an easy-to-reach cool bag. If you don’t own a cool bag, you can’t ensure your entire family meal will stay edible on a long journey, so pack dry snacks instead.
• Keep wet wipes on hand for filthy fingers.
• Use a carrier bag as a bin for dirty Tupperware, cutlery, food scraps, etc.
• Bring kitchen roll for mopping up the odd inevitable spillage.
• If you do plan to stop for a picnic, don’t forget the all-important blanket.

Delicious drinks
You should avoid fizzy drinks, as many are loaded with E numbers, sugar and caffeine – not good for children stuck in a car.

Water is the best thing to drink – it’s healthy, hydrating and if it leaks it won’t leave a sticky mess all over your car’s upholstery. But if your children don’t like drinking water, give them vitamin-packed fruit juices and smoothies, or low-sugar fruit drinks. You could also prepare a flask of ready-to-drink cordial.

Only bring drinks that come in unbreakable bottles with screw-top lids – pouches with straws and cans are just asking to be spilt, and glass bottles are an accident waiting to happen.

Must-have munchies
Car-suitable snacks should be mess-free and easy enough for even a toddler to handle with ease.

Fresh snacks can include fruit – anything that doesn’t have peel, pips, a stone or a core is best, or you might prefer to chop up fruit and bring it in sealed Tupperware containers. Don’t forget a fork and a carrier bag to put your dirty containers in afterwards.

Vegetable sticks are another great option – we’re talking celery, cucumber and carrot batons. Cherry tomatoes are tasty, but can squirt juice. A dip can liven up your vegetables, but take plenty of kitchen paper, unless you want to find splodges of it round the car later.

Dips, such as hummus, are also good for dunking pitta bread. Or, as an interesting alternative to sandwiches, why not take along tortilla wraps with ham and cheese?

Mini sausages and cheese, such as Babybel, are often a hit with kids, too, as are sticks of yoghurt, which are brilliantly fuss-free.

If you don’t have a cool bag, bring popcorn, as well as oatcakes, rice cakes and bread sticks, which you can dip in peanut butter.

Children usually like tucking into their own individual packs of raisins, yoghurt-coated dried fruit and cereal bars. If you have the time, try making some homemade flapjacks.

Picnic en route
If it’s a nice day, why not stop somewhere picturesque for a proper old-fashioned picnic? The kids will revel in running around outdoors after being cooped up in the car, and it’s a great way for the driver to refresh themselves before getting behind the wheel again.

Your picnic should include all the usual suspects – sandwiches, quiche, tart, pâté, olives, crusty bread and cheese. And don’t forget dessert – yoghurt, cold puddings in pots, mini muffins or slices of cake are all good options.


Author Bio:
Tara Nathanson writes for Sainsbury’s Bank Matters Blog on a range of topics including car insurance, car safety and other motoring topics. In her spare time she likes going to the cinema and doing yoga and Zumba classes, and at weekends she likes hanging out with her six-year-old son.