I don’t want to blow my own horn but I make a pretty good risotto! It is the ultimate comfort food and a sure sign that Autumn is here.

If you were to ask me what is the secret to a good risotto, I would say patience. I will never forget a cook book that I read 20 years ago when I first came to Italy. A Tuscan in the Kitchen by Pino Luongo is not only full of wonderful recipes but also about his life growing up in Tuscany. It is one of my favourite recipe books even after all of these years. So Pino says that if you are in a hurry or a bad mood, don’t make risotto and I think about this each and every time that I stir my risotto and admire the glossy crema that slowly starts to coat each ‘chicco di riso’.

Tonight I made risotto with porcini mushrooms and chicken and I’ll be honest and tell you……….. that I licked my plate.