ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Ingredients:

3 to 4 servings

about 4 cups chicken stock or canned low-salt chicken broth
1 large bunch asparagus, about 1 lb.
1/4-cup olive oil
2 cups sliced shiitake mushrooms (1/4-inch thick)
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 tbs. minced garlic
1 cup Arborio rice
1/2-cup dry white wine (optional but Sauvignon Blanc is best)
1-1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme
1 tbs. unsalted butter
1/4-cup coarsely grated Fontina cheese (see note below)
3/4-cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1-1/2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional)
1-1/2 tsp. freshly grated lemon zest (optional)

Quick Tip: Give the risotto an extra hit of flavor by adding the asparagus stems to the simmering stock for several minutes.

1. Pour the stock into a saucepan, place over high heat and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, snap off the ends from the asparagus and peel any tough skin from the stalks.
   
2. Add the asparagus ends to the stock, reduce the heat to low and simmer gently until the stems are tender, about 7 minutes.
   
3. Remove and discard the stems.
   
4. Slice the spears 1/4-inch thick on the diagonal. Set aside.
   
5. Heat the olive oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat until hot.
   
6. Scatter in the mushrooms and do not move them until they begin to brown, about 1 minute.
   
7. Season with salt and pepper and saute until brown, about 5 minutes.
   
8. Remove to a plate.
   
9. Lower the heat to medium, add the onion, season lightly with salt and cook until soft but not brown, about 2 minutes.
   
10. Add the garlic and cook briefly.
    
11. Add the rice and stir until the grains look pearly white, about 2 minutes.
    
12. Add the wine, if using, and cook until the pan is nearly dry.
    
13. Adjust the heat so the rice cooks at a slow simmer.
    
14. Add 1/2-cup of the stock, stir and cook until the pan is nearly dry again.
    
15. Season lightly with salt and pepper now so the flavor permeates the rice.
    
16. Add another 1/2-cup of the stock and continue to stir and cook, adding stock as necessary, until the rice is three-fourths cooked, about 15 minutes.
    
17. Stir in the thyme, mushrooms, and sliced asparagus tips.
    
18. Continue to cook until the rice is al dente and the asparagus is bright green and just tender, about 4 minutes longer.
    
19. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, Fontina cheese, 1/2-cup of the Parmesan cheese, the parsley and the lemon zest, if using.
    
20. Taste for seasoning.
    
21. Dust with Parmesan before serving.
    

NOTE:Fontina is a cow's milk semi-soft cheese which comes only from the Valle d'Aosta, Italy. The cheese is aged and pungent, irregular in shape, covered with a dark brown rind. In the U.S. the cheese is typically younger, straw-yellow with a buttery, nutty taste. The texture is semi-soft, rich and creamy with a few very small holes. Look for the orange-brown rind that indicates a true Fontina. It makes a good table cheese and is mild and smooth when melted.

Danish Fontina is pale yellow and semi-soft with a mild slightly sweet flavor. A derivative of its Italian namesake and a great table cheese that goes well with a light wine Fontina is also a good sandwich cheese