BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND MUSHROOM RISOTTO

Steps:

• Steps #2 through #6 are for the Veggies.
• In a medium-large skillet, heat a thin film of oil on medium-high heat.
• Add mushrooms. Sauté until oil absorbed (about 1 minute).
• Push mushrooms to sides and add butter to center. Wait until butter browns lightly.
• Add squash, thyme, salt, pepper, and stir. Sauté until butternut squash is brown on all sides (or some sides) and cooked or just under-done.
• Add to risotto in step #14 below.
• Steps #8 through #16 are for the Risotto.
• Heat the wine by microwaving gradually until hot to the touch and set aside. Heat the broth in a small sauce pan on medium-high heat until hot to the touch, then turn it down and leave it on low heat.
• In a large saucepan, sauté shallot and parsley in abundant olive oil. When brown and translucent, remove from pan with slotted spoon and set aside.
• Add rice to pan. Stir to coat, adding a tad more oil if necessary. Sauté until rice becomes translucent (with a visible white core) and slightly colored but not brown (about 7-10 minutes), stirring to keep from sticking.
• Re-add shallot and parsley to pan. Add warm wine. Stir until wine evaporates.
• Just as the last of the liquid evaporates, add one ladle of warm broth. Stir gently.
• You will repeat step #12, adding a new ladle of broth whenever the liquid is low and stirring gently, until the rice is al dente (about 20-30 minutes). Look ahead to steps #14 and #15. You may or may not use all the broth. If you completely run out of broth, use water (heated to the same temperature as the broth).
• When the rice is almost done, before the last ladle or two of broth, add all the contents of the veggie pan.
• When rice is done, turn off heat. Stir in butter and cheese.
• Let sit for 2-3 minutes covered. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley.