This rich and creamy dairy-free risotto is made with arborio rice, sautéed mushrooms, garlic, and a luscious cashew-based sauce. A comforting, plant-based meal perfect for a cozy dinner! 🌱✨
Ingredients:
For the Risotto:
✅ 1 ½ cups arborio rice
✅ 4 cups vegetable broth (warmed)
✅ 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (such as almond, oat, or coconut milk)
✅ 1 small onion, finely chopped
✅ 3 cloves garlic, minced
✅ 2 tablespoons olive oil
✅ 1 ½ cups cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
✅ ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or fresh thyme leaves)
✅ ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth of flavor)
✅ Salt & black pepper to taste
For the Creamy Sauce:
✅ ½ cup raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 15 minutes, then drained)
✅ ¾ cup unsweetened plant-based milk (almond, oat, or soy)
✅ 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (for a cheesy, umami flavor)
✅ 1 teaspoon lemon juice
✅ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
✅ Salt & pepper to taste
For Garnish:
✅ ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
✅ 1 tablespoon truffle oil (optional, for extra richness)
Instructions:
Step 1: Sauté the Base
1️⃣ In a large pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil.
2️⃣ Add the onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
3️⃣ Stir in the mushrooms, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the mushrooms are soft and golden.
Step 2: Cook the Risotto
4️⃣ Add the arborio rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly toasted.
5️⃣ Begin adding the warm vegetable broth, ½ cup at a time, stirring frequently and allowing the liquid to absorb before adding more.
6️⃣ Repeat the process for about 20 minutes, until the rice is creamy and tender but still slightly al dente.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
7️⃣ While the risotto is cooking, blend the cashews, plant-based milk, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast in a blender until completely smooth.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
8️⃣ Once the rice is cooked, stir in the cashew sauce and mix well to make the risotto creamy.
9️⃣ Remove from heat and let it sit for 2 minutes to thicken.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
9️⃣ Spoon the risotto into bowls and drizzle with truffle oil (if using).
🔟 Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and extra nutritional yeast for a cheesy, umami flavor.
🍽️ Serve immediately and enjoy this warm, comforting, and completely dairy-free creamy mushroom risotto! 🍄🌱