Cooking for Marc is one of my absolute favorite things to do, but it also comes with some limitations. No capers, no orzo, and no mushrooms. Capers aren’t that big of a deal since they’re not used in a lot of dishes. Orzo…well it’s just a strange thing that he refuses to eat but I deal with it. It’s the mushrooms that have been the most difficult for me to not cook with. Lucky for Marc, I love him more than I love mushrooms so I haven’t cooked with mushrooms for months.
Marc had to go away this week for a few days to interview for residency and of course I was sad he was going to be gone, but I also jumped at the chance to cook with mushrooms. When I saw this recipe in Cooking Light, I couldn’t wait to make it. Mushrooms and bacon?! AND cheese?? I’m in. Plus, there is spinach in it which means it’s practically health food.
This recipe is truly a keeper. All of the ingredients worked together so well, with the salty bacon, creamy rice, and of course the mushrooms. I ate it as my meal but it would also be great as a side dish with chicken or fish. I probably could have halved the recipe since I’m the only one that will be eating the leftovers, but I have a feeling if I make Marc try it, even he will be a fan. Don’t tell him, but this is the first part of my “Convert-Marc-into-a-Mushroom-Lover” plan.
Bacon, Spinach, and Mushroom Risotto
adapted from Cooking Light
makes about 5 servings
5 cups chicken broth
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 cup uncooked Arborio rice
1/3 cup dry sherry
4 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese
1/2 tsp salt
Directions:
In small saucepan, bring chicken broth to a simmer and keep warm over low heat.
In a large French oven, cook bacon over medium heat for 8 minutes or until crisp. When cooked, remove bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon. Add the onion and garlic to drippings in pan and cook until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and cook 5-6 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the rice and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the sherry and cook until it is nearly absorbed, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup of chicken broth and cook 3-4 minutes, or until it is nearly absorbed. Add the remaining broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each addition is absorbed before adding the next. Once all broth is added and absorbed, add the spinach and stir until it has wilted, about 1 minute.
Remove the pot from heat and stir in cheese, salt, and bacon. Top with additional cheese, if desired. Enjoy!
greensnchocolate
greensnchocolate
greensnchocolate
You are a saint to give up mushrooms for love. What a hard thing to do! This risotto looks like it was worth the wait to have a night alone. Love the bacon in there too!
I love risotto, one of my best ones is Meditteranean flavors with olives, oven-dried tomatoes.
Your looks really good!
I just bought Arborio rice today to make risotto and I was thinking about how I would make it. This is right up my alley. thanks for sharing!!!!
Num!! This looks really fantastic! I think this dish could convert any mushroom hater! (By the way, Marc’s dad used to strongly dislike mushrooms too, and now he loves them! There is hope!
)
Oh how could he not love mushrooms? Yum! I love the look of this recipe (and the image with it) it looks so delicious
It’s officially on my “to-make” list now
Has he ever had mushrooms??
This looks out of this world goooood!!
I love everything about this dish! I’m not sure I could give up mushrooms for my boyfriend, it’s hard enough he doesn’t like olives.
I love risotto and this dish has some of my very favorite ingredients! Good job. Just looking at it is making me hungry!
bacon! just posted risotto, this is the missing things I believe.
Mayyybe you could sneak some in his food? Or would he know?
Your risotto looks amazing!
Yum – I am such a risotto fan and this looks like a marvelous recipe. I love Cooking Light’s recipes. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m kind of the opposite. My husband loves mushrooms and I don’t, so I cook with them even though I don’t really care for them. But I’ll eat anything with bacon, mushrooms or not!
YUM! I’ve been looking for a good risotto recipe, have some arborio rice to use up!
i dont know how… but i am just now a follower… what the heck!
WHat a yummy dinner! I think I am gonna try this on Saturday!
I love risotto and I love mushrooms. My husband is not really a fan either, but he just pulls them to the side. Love this recipe, I’m eager to try it!
love love love risotto and this one has everything else i love too! awesome.
This recipe looks amazing! I would love for you to link this or any of your recipes to my blog hop @ It’s a Keeper Thursdays. http://www.everydaytastes.com/
Thanks so much for sharing!
Taylor – made your risotto for dinner tonight. It was soooo good. It just takes so dang long to cook! My husband actually said it was restaurant quality! Never got that comment before. Loved it – thanks!
I have never made risotto but this looks like a tasty recipe
I love bacon and mushrooms so this is a must try!
Thanks for linking up to the It’s a Keeper Thursday blog hop! I hope you come back next week and link something new!
Have a great weekend!
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