Clams and mushroom risotto

My clam risotto with razor clams

Has been a while since I cooked risotto, my love affair with risotto recipes started time ago in a Venice restaurant, risotto to be perfectly creamy need a good quantity of butter( buffala butter even better) The last week  watching one of the David de Jorge recipes I find out a clam risotto recipe made it with Mascarpone cheese by guest blogger and food styler Aran Goyoaga. Adding Mascarpone cheese instead of butter transform your dish in a low fat risotto

Yesterday in the Hove Fish market when I saw the whole kilogram of clams for just 9 pounds, I thought will be a good idea try one day the recipe, but when I saw as well in the fish counter the razor clams, was like  a will have definitely a Seafood risotto for lunch.

Let absorb well all the stock

You need:  2 garlic (sliced) 500g clams (washed in running water) - 4 razor clams – 2 tbsp of parsley (chopped) – 100ml dry white wine – 100g mixed frozen mushroom (or a fresh mix when are in season) – 200g risotto rice – 1tbsp of mascarpone cheese – Chopped tarragon for garnish.

1. In a saucepan heat 2 tbsp of olive oil at medium heat, then add one of the sliced garlic, and parsley, stir and add the clams with 50ml white wine. Bring the heat to a medium high, cover and wait until the clams opens. Between 4-5 minutes is the most usual time. Set aside
2. In a wide saucepan. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil at medium heat, add the remaining garlic and mixed mushrooms, cook for 3 minutes, and then add the rice, stir the rice until is well coated in the oil and cook for one extra minute. Add 50ml of wine, let absorb.
3. Then add one ladleful of stock, stir a couple of times and once the stock has been absorbed add the next ladleful. Repeat the same process until the rice is creamy and has a bite. More or less take between 17 to 20 minutes. If you need more stock just add a bit of hot water.

Grill razor clams are just delicious in their own

4. Meanwhile you are cooking the rice, hot a grill pan until is very hot and just add the razor clams. Will take at least 4 minutes until they open. Keep them warm.
5. Two minutes before the rice is done add the mascarpone cheese, mix very well and add the clams with all the juices in the pan. Season with a pinch of salt and plenty black ground pepper.
6. Serve the risotto and mushrooms in individual plates, garnish with chopped tarragon and top each plate with a razor clam and a sprinkle of olive oil.