Spring Risotto with Morel Mushrooms
Creamy and delicious, this farm favorite is freshened up by locally-foraged morels and roasted veggies.
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4-5 cups warm Farm & Larder chicken stock
1 cup morel mushrooms, washed and patted dry
8 tablespoons butter
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ finely chopped onion
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 cup grated Grated-style cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley
Roasted Spring Vegetables (see recipe)
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot.
2. Set another large saucepan over medium low heat, then melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the onions until soft but not brown. Add garlic and morel mushrooms and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Once morels are soft, remove to a plate.
3. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice to the pan with garlic and onion. Stir for about one minute. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine (if using) and continue stirring. Repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender (this process usually takes 20-25 minutes).
4. Stir in the remaining butter, mushrooms, and grated cheese until melted.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and additional cheese, if desired, and top with roasted spring vegetables.
Spring Risotto with Wild Mushrooms, Asparagus & Herbs
Earthy mushrooms, tender asparagus, and creamy Arborio rice come together in this elegant spring risotto—rich, comforting, and brightened with fresh herbs and lemon.
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4 cups chicken stock
½ cup white wine (optional)
½ finely chopped onion or shallot
1–2 tablespoons chopped garlic (optional)
8 tablespoons butter or olive oil (or a mixture)
¼ cup grated Grana cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 cups mixed wild mushrooms, washed, trimmed as needed, and sautéed in butter until golden brown
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon lemon zest
Pea shoots, for garnish
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method:
1. Prep your components: In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer to keep warm. Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch asparagus for 1–2 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 4–5 tablespoons butter. Add onion and cook until soft but not browned. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute. Add Arborio rice and stir for about 1 minute until lightly translucent at the edges. Add a ladleful of warm stock and stir until nearly absorbed. Continue adding stock gradually, stirring frequently. Add the wine along with one of the ladles of stock, if using. Continue cooking until the rice is creamy and tender, about 20–25 minutes total.
3. To finish, stir in remaining butter, Grana cheese, parsley, asparagus, lemon zest, and most of the sautéed mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into bowls and top with the remaining mushrooms, extra cheese, and a tangle of fresh pea shoots.
Variation: Try topping each individual portion of risotto with a fried duck egg for a truly decadent finish!
Wild Ramp-Lemon Risotto with Morel Mushrooms
This bright risotto showcases beautiful spring ramps and foraged Morel mushrooms.
Ingredients:
1 quart F&L chicken stock
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 cup sliced ramps, thoroughly cleaned and the white and green parts divided
1 cup Arborio rice
1 cup Morel mushrooms, sautéed lightly in butter
¼ cup dry white wine
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
½-¾ cup Grana-style cheese, for grating
Sea salt and fresh black pepper
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot.
2. In another large sauce pan over medium low heat, add one tablespoon butter and the sliced white portion of the ramps and sweat for two minutes. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice, stir for about one minute. Next, add the dry white wine to the rice and cook until it has completely evaporated, then add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed.
3. Add another ladleful of stock and continue stirring. Repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
4. Stir in the remaining butter, lemon juice, lemon zest. Stir in the ramp greens and mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Finally, grate cheese into the risotto and gently give the risotto one or two stirs to incorporate. Serve immediately.
Baby Shiitake Mushroom Risotto
Topped with sautéed mushrooms, this creamy and delicious risotto is a favorite here at the farm.
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
4 cups chicken stock
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ finely chopped onions or shallots
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic (if desired)
8 tablespoons butter or olive oil (can use a mixture)
¼ cup grated Grana cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 cups baby Shiitake mushrooms, sautéed in butter
Sea salt and ground pepper to taste
Method:
1. In a saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot.
2. In another large saucepan over medium low heat, melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the onions until soft but not brown. Add garlic and continue cooking for about 2 minutes. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice, stir for about one minute. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed.
3. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine (if using) and continue stirring. Repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
4. Stir in the remaining butter and grated Grana until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a generous helping of sautéed mushrooms to each portion of risotto, and sprinkle with fresh parsley and a grating of Grana-style cheese before serving.
Variation: Give this risotto a springtime twist by adding coarsely-chopped pea shoots, blanched peas and crispy pancetta as well!
Spring Sausage & Morel Skillet with Herbs & Duck Eggs
This rustic one-pan supper brings together savory sausage, earthy morel mushrooms, sweet spring onions, and rich duck eggs for a dish that feels tailor-made for the transition from spring into summer.
Ingredients:
1 pound Skagit River Ranch sausage
8 ounces morel mushrooms, cleaned and halved if large
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
4 duck eggs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or chives)
Zest of 1 lemon
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Toasted Pain au Levain, for serving
Method:
1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it into rustic pieces, until browned and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving a bit of the flavorful drippings behind.
2. Add the morel mushrooms and spring onions to the skillet along with a drizzle of olive oil or butter if needed. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, until tender and lightly golden.
3. Return the sausage to the skillet and stir everything together. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Using a spoon, create four small wells in the mixture and carefully crack the duck eggs into them. Cover the skillet and cook for 4–6 minutes, until the egg whites are set but the yolks remain rich and slightly runny.
5. Finish with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a few grinds of black pepper. Serve warm with toasted Pain au Levain alongside.
Risotto with Spring Peas & Morel Mushrooms
This recipe is a favorite here at the farm. Creamy and delicious, it pairs well with steak, chicken, pork or can stand well on its own as the star of your meal—just remember to stir!
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups Arborio rice
4-5 cups warm chicken stock
1 ½ cups shelled peas
1 ½ cups sautéed morel mushrooms
½ cup white wine (if desired)
½ finely chopped onions or shallots
1-2 tablespoons chopped garlic (if desired)
1 ¼ cup grated Tomme or Romano cheese
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Method:
1. In a sauce pan, bring the chicken stock to a boil and then turn down to a simmer to keep hot.
2. In another large sauce pan over medium low heat, melt 4-5 tablespoons of butter and cook the onions until soft but not brown.
3. Add garlic and continue cooking for about 2 minutes.
4. Turn the heat up and add the Arborio rice. Stir for about one minute.
5. Add a ladleful of stock to the rice and continue stirring until almost absorbed.
6. Add another ladleful of stock and the wine and continue stirring – repeat until all the stock is gone and the rice is creamy and tender.
7. Stir in the remaining butter, mushrooms, peas and grated Tomme until melted.
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and additional cheese, if desired.
Jammy Eggs with Morels & Herbs on Toast
Earthy morel mushrooms, silky jammy eggs, and fresh garden herbs come together atop crisp toast in this simple spring dish that feels equally suited to brunch, lunch, or a light supper.
Ingredients:
4 slices rustic bread, toasted
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
8 ounces morel mushrooms, cleaned and halved if large
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
4 eggs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, thyme, or mint)
Zest of 1 lemon
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Flaky salt, for serving
Method:
1. Bring a small saucepan of water to a gentle boil. Carefully lower in the eggs and cook for 7 minutes. Transfer immediately to an ice bath and peel once cool enough to handle.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the morels and spring onions and sauté for 5–7 minutes, until tender and lightly golden. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Arrange the toasted bread on plates and spoon the warm mushroom mixture over top.
4. Halve the jammy eggs and place over the toast. Finish with fresh herbs, lemon zest, flaky salt, and a few grinds of black pepper before serving.
How-To: Reconstitute Dried Mushrooms
Follow these simple steps to reconstitute the beautiful mushrooms found in this week’s box.
Ingredients:
Dried wild mushrooms
Tools:
Medium saucepan
Handheld strainer
2-3 cups warm water, stock or wine
Method:
1. Place mushrooms in a medium saucepan. (Dried mushrooms will reconstitute to 6-8 times their dry weight.)
2. Cover mushrooms with warm water, stock or wine. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat. Allow to soak in liquid for at least 15-20 minutes; gradually the mushrooms will begin to soak in moisture and plump.
3. Drain mushrooms of liquid with the strainer. Reserve the flavorful soaking liquid for use in soup, stocks and more! Briefly sauté the reconstituted mushrooms in a little butter or olive oil, add a splash of white wine if desired, add salt and pepper to taste, and then use according to your recipe.
Spring Pasta with Morels, Ramps & Fromage Blanc
Earthy morels, wild ramps, and creamy fromage blanc come together in this springtime pasta that’s as elegant as it is easy.
Ingredients:
8 ounces Lagana Vesuvio pasta (or similar curly shape)
1 cup fresh morel mushrooms, cleaned and halved lengthwise
1 bunch ramps (bulbs and greens), cleaned and chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
â…“ cup dry white wine (optional)
½ cup fromage blanc
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Lemon zest, to finish
Fresh herbs like tarragon or parsley, finely chopped, to garnish
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook Vesuvio pasta until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. In a wide skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add morels and cook for about 5 minutes until they’re tender and lightly browned. Add ramp bulbs and cook for another 2 minutes, then stir in ramp greens and cook just until wilted.
3. Add the white wine to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Let it reduce for 1–2 minutes. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in the fromage blanc until it melts into a creamy sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce slightly.
4. Toss in the cooked pasta and gently fold to coat with the sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of lemon zest for brightness. Serve warm, garnished with chopped herbs.
Pan-Roasted Corn & Baby Shiitake Mushroom Risotto
This beautifully-fragrant risotto makes delicious use of bright summer corn.
Ingredients:
1½ cups Arborio rice
3 cups fresh corn kernels
1 cup baby Shiitake mushrooms, washed and trimmed
5 cups F&L chicken stock
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 French red shallots, minced
¼ cup dry white wine
¼ cup freshly-grated Grana-style cheese
3 tablespoons combined freshly-chopped parsley and chives
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a boil over moderately high heat. Lower the heat to keep the stock at a low simmer.
2. Meanwhile, in a large, heavy saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in the olive oil. Add the shallots and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 4 minutes. Raise the heat to high, add the corn and mushrooms and cook until all are lightly browned and softened, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir until the grains are thoroughly coated with fat, 1-2 minutes. Pour in the wine and continue stirring until most of the wine has evaporated.
3. Add 1 cup of the simmering stock to the rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the stock has been absorbed. Continue adding stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring the risotto until the stock is absorbed before adding more; the risotto is done when the rice is just tender and the sauce is creamy, about 20 minutes. Stir in the cheese, herbs and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Season with salt and pepper and serve at once.
Variation: This risotto is also delicious topped with crispy chopped bacon!