"I love risotto, and I know it's pretty simple to make," people tell me all the time when they eat it in one of my restaurants. "But I just don't like to stand there at the stove stirring for such a ...

With a damp towel, wipe the mushrooms clean. With a small, sharp knife, trim off tough or dirty stems. Then, cut the mushrooms into thick, uniform slices. Put the rinsed and drained rice in a bowl.

1/2 pound assorted fresh organic mushrooms, such as shiitakes, chanterelles, Portobellos, cremini, or regular cultivated mushrooms 1-1/2 cups Arborio rice, rinsed in a strainer and drained well 2 ...