Sarah Brown
Mushroom risotto is a hearty, creamy, and earthy Italian dish. It is a versatile meal that can be served as a side or main course. When deciding what to serve with mushroom risotto, it is important to remember that the dish is already rich and creamy, so a lighter side dish is often preferred. A fresh and light salad is a popular choice, with options such as arugula, spinach, baby greens, apples or pears, walnuts, and balsamic dressing. Other side dishes that pair well with mushroom risotto include grilled salmon, steamed broccoli, garlic bread, blistered tomatoes, and zucchini fritters. For a heartier option, chicken Kiev or miso chicken are good choices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salads | Caesar salad, arugula salad, spinach salad, shaved Brussels sprouts salad, courgette salad, prosciutto melon salad, Panzanella Toscana, simple green salad |
| Appetizers | Antipasti, olives, raw salmon with herbs and citrus topped with pickled shallots, vegan stuffed mushrooms, burrata caprese |
| Proteins | Chicken Kiev, miso chicken, grilled veal cutlet, shrimp, tofu, salmon, halibut |
| Breads | Fresh bread, garlic bread, toasted baguette slices |
| Vegetables | Asparagus, steamed broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, blistered tomatoes, zucchini fritters, green beans, roasted zucchini |
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What You'll Learn
- Salads: spinach, apple, walnuts, glazed nuts, pear, baby greens, prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula
- Appetisers: olives, salmon, stuffed mushrooms, burrata caprese, bruschetta
- Vegetables: steamed broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, kale, collard greens
- Fish and shellfish: grilled salmon, shrimp, halibut
- Meat: chicken, pork, beef, bacon, prosciutto
Salads: spinach, apple, walnuts, glazed nuts, pear, baby greens, prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula
Mushroom risotto is a rich and hearty dish, so it is best accompanied by something light and fresh. Salads are a great option, and you can get creative with your choice of ingredients. Here are some salad ideas focusing on the ingredients you provided: spinach, apple, walnuts, glazed nuts, pear, baby greens, prosciutto, mozzarella, and arugula.
Spinach Salad:
This salad can be a simple side dish to accompany your mushroom risotto. To make it, start by wilting some spinach leaves in a pan with a little butter. Add some minced garlic and perhaps some sliced shallots, and sauté until the shallots begin to caramelize. You can then toss this with raw baby spinach leaves, adding some freshness and crunch to the wilted spinach. To add a sweet and tangy element, include some sliced apples or pears, and top it off with glazed walnuts or pecans. A simple balsamic dressing will bring all the flavors together.
Prosciutto and Mozzarella Salad:
For this salad, start with a bed of arugula or mixed greens, including some spinach if you like. Top it with thin slices of prosciutto, which adds a salty, savory element to the salad. Tear up some fresh mozzarella and arrange it on top, along with slices of juicy pear. Sprinkle over some walnuts or pecans, and add some red onion slices for an extra kick. Dress this salad with a simple balsamic vinaigrette, and you have a delicious, restaurant-style salad to accompany your risotto.
Baby Greens Salad:
For a more delicate salad, use a mix of baby greens, including spinach and arugula. Top with sliced apples or pears, adding a sweet and crisp element to the salad. You can also add some glazed nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, for a crunchy texture. A simple lemon vinaigrette or a light balsamic dressing will bring all the flavors together.
Remember, mushroom risotto is quite rich, so keeping the salads simple and fresh will provide a nice contrast and ensure your risotto remains the star of the show!
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Appetisers: olives, salmon, stuffed mushrooms, burrata caprese, bruschetta
Olives are a great appetiser to accompany mushroom risotto. They are easy, sophisticated, fragrant, and comforting. Mixed olives with citrus zest, herbs, and spices come together to make this Italian happy hour favourite.
Salmon is another appetiser option. A grilled salmon is light and flavourful and pairs well with the mushroom risotto. A raw salmon appetiser with herbs, lemon, and orange, topped with pickled shallots is another option.
Stuffed mushrooms are a delicious vegan and gluten-free appetiser option. They are packed with umami flavour and plant-based protein.
Burrata caprese is a delicious twist on a classic caprese salad. The creaminess of the burrata cheese compliments the creamy texture of the arborio rice in the mushroom risotto.
Bruschetta is another appetiser option to accompany mushroom risotto. Fresh bread with bruschetta is a warm and delicious blank canvas.
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Vegetables: steamed broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, kale, collard greens
Mushroom risotto is a creamy, hearty, and earthy dish. When deciding on a side dish to accompany it, it is important to keep the meal balanced and not too heavy. Here are some vegetable sides that will complement your mushroom risotto:
Steamed Broccoli
Steamed broccoli is a healthy and simple side dish that pairs well with mushroom risotto. The bright green florets add a pop of colour and a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the rich risotto. To prepare, simply steam the broccoli until tender and season with salt and lemon juice.
Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts are an underrated vegetable that can be a delicious side dish when cooked right. They can be tender, succulent, nutty, and nourishing. To prepare, coat the sprouts in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast for 20 minutes. Finally, toss them with balsamic vinegar and honey before serving. The crisp texture and deep caramelized flavours of the sprouts complement the creaminess of the risotto.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a classic side dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways. For a simple preparation, cook the asparagus spears and season them with garlic, parmesan, or lemon. For a more indulgent option, wrap the asparagus in bacon.
Braised Greens (Kale or Collard Greens)
Braised greens, such as kale or collard greens, make a hearty and flavourful side dish. To prepare, slowly cook the greens with garlic, onions, and a splash of vinegar until tender and rich in flavour. The slight bitterness and tanginess of the braised greens provide a nice contrast to the creamy risotto, adding depth to your meal.
These vegetable sides will enhance your mushroom risotto without overwhelming it, creating a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience.
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Fish and shellfish: grilled salmon, shrimp, halibut
Grilled salmon is a great option to pair with mushroom risotto. It is light and flavourful, providing a nice contrast to the soft and creamy risotto. To prepare the salmon, heat butter in a pan until it turns golden, then add the salmon fillets, skin-side down, for three minutes or until you see a change in colour halfway up the salmon. Turn the fillets over and cook for another four minutes. For a crispier finish, turn the fillets back onto the skin side for another two minutes. Finally, drizzle lemon juice over the salmon and serve on a bed of mushroom risotto.
You can also serve grilled shrimp with mushroom risotto. The sweetness of the shrimp and the rich garlic butter sauce accentuate the risotto's robust taste without overpowering it. To prepare the shrimp, cook them for one minute and twenty seconds per side or until they just start to turn pink. Then, make a simple sauce of white wine, chicken broth, garlic, Italian seasoning, lemon juice, and mustard powder. Add the shrimp back into the sauce and cook for another minute. Top with cold butter, garnish with parsley and lemon wedges, and serve with the risotto.
If you're looking for a white fish option, grilled halibut pairs well with mushroom risotto. To prepare the halibut, preheat the oven to 420 degrees Fahrenheit. Use paper towels to remove any moisture from the fish, then season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet and add the halibut, cooking the presentation side down. After about five minutes, turn the fish over and transfer it to the oven. Roast until the fish flakes easily, about seven minutes. Remove the fish and plate it on top of the risotto.
In addition to fish and shellfish, you can also consider serving mushroom risotto with a light salad or grilled vegetables like asparagus, Brussel sprouts, or green beans. These options will complement the richness of the risotto without overwhelming it.
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Meat: chicken, pork, beef, bacon, prosciutto
Chicken is a great pairing with mushroom risotto. You could try a roasted lemon chicken, or pollo a limone, a classic Italian recipe that makes the juiciest and most flavorful chicken. Or, for something simpler, a cast iron skillet chicken is super easy to make and pairs perfectly with any side dish. Chicken livers also go well with mushroom risotto, as does duck breast.
Pork is another option to accompany mushroom risotto. A grilled pork chop or pork tenderloin could be a good choice, or perhaps some crispy bacon or prosciutto.
Beef is also a good option to accompany mushroom risotto. A grilled steak or a beef risotto made with rich bone broth are both excellent choices.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom risotto is rich and creamy, so it's best to pair it with something light and fresh. A simple green salad with nuts, fruit, and prosciutto is a tasty option. You could also try a Panzanella Toscana, which combines the flavours of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and basil with cubes of toasted bread.
Chicken Kiev is a popular choice—the crispy breaded chicken filled with herbed butter brings a wonderful texture and flavour contrast. For a lighter option, grilled salmon or shrimp are great choices, as their lightness and burst of flavour pair well with the richness of the risotto.
Steamed broccoli is a healthy and simple side that pairs well with mushroom risotto. The bright green florets add colour and a fresh, slightly bitter contrast to the dish. You could also try roasted Brussels sprouts, which, when cooked right, are tender, succulent, nutty, and nourishing.
