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Crab and Chanterelle Risotto
from Crab, in the Northwest Homegrown Cookbook Series

The sweet chewiness of crabmeat offers a distinct contrast to the nutty rice and earthy mushrooms in this risotto recipe. The Northwest’s crop of wild chanterelles is at its peak in the damp, mild fall and generally continues until the first frost. When chanterelles aren’t available, you may use shiitake, crimini, or even white button mushrooms instead.



4 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 to 12 ounces chanterelle mushrooms, wiped clean, trimmed, and thinly sliced
1 cup dry white wine
3 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup Carnaroli or Arborio rice
12 ounces crabmeat
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf (Italian) parsley



Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté, stirring frequently, until they are tender and lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the mushrooms to a bowl and set aside.

Add the white wine to the skillet and stir just to draw up any remaining cooking juices and flavors from the mushrooms, then pour the wine into a medium saucepan. Add the chicken stock to the saucepan with the wine and bring just to a boil over medium-high heat. Immediately reduce the heat to low and keep warm.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat, add the onion, and stir until tender and aromatic, about 3 minutes. The onion should soften but not brown. Add the rice and stir gently until it is evenly blended with the onion. Scoop about 1 cup of the warm chicken stock into the rice and cook, stirring constantly, until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat the process once more, adding another cup of liquid. Continue adding the stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring the rice constantly until most of the liquid is absorbed before adding the next, until the risotto is thick and creamy and the rice tender but not too soft – there should still be a bit of resistance at the center of each grain. You may not need every drop of the stock; total cooking time will be 30 to 40 minutes.

Pick over the crabmeat to remove any bits of shell or cartilage; if using king or snow crab meat, cut the shelled leg portions into 1/4-inch pieces. Add the crab to the risotto along with the sautéed mushrooms and stir just to warm them through. Season the risotto to taste with salt and pepper, spoon it into warmed shallow bowls, and sprinkle the parsley over it. Serve right away.

Makes 4 servings


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