Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      ounce         dried mushrooms
                        -- (such as porcini,
                        -- boletus or cepe)
   1      cup           hot water
   3      tablespoons   butter
   2      tablespoons   olive oil
     1/4  medium        yellow onion -- coarsely chopped
   1 1/2  cups          Italian arborio rice -- raw
   2      cups          basic brown sauce -- see * note 1
   3      cups          water -- see * note 2
     1/4  cup           chopped -- drained, cooked
                        -- spinach
     1/4  cup           freshly-grated parmesan cheese
                        oregano -- to taste
                        rosemary -- to taste
                        salt -- to taste
                        freshly-ground black pepper -- to taste

Preparation:

* Note 1: See the "Basic Brown Sauce" recipe which is included in this collection. * Note 2: Include in this the water from the soaked mushrooms. Soak the mushrooms in 1 cup of hot water until very soft, about 1 hour. Drain, reserving the water for the dish, and chop the mushrooms. Heat a 4-quart heavy saucepan and add the butter, oil, onions, spinach and mushrooms. Cook until the onions are clear, then add the rice. Stir carefully so each grain is coated with the oil. In a separate pan bring the Basic Brown Stock and water, including the mushroom water, to a simmer and add 1 cup of this liquid to the rice. Stir as it cooks to insure a nice creamy dish. Continue adding broth as it is absorbed until the rice is tender but still a bit chewy. Add the spinach and cook a few minutes more until the spinach is heated through. Stir in the cheese and oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately. This recipe serves 4 to 6 as a first course. Comments: This makes a lovely change from your usual starches at dinner. It is a classic favorite of the Milanese. It is usually considered a pasta course, not a full meal. Fried Risotto Cakes Make small patties of leftover mushroom and herb risotto and fry them in a bit of olive oil. Serve in a puddle of Basic Brown Sauce. This will be a hit, I promise!