Truffle & Parm Risotto 🍚🧀

For when you want to feel rich without actually being rich.

Creamy. Bougie. Surprisingly plant-based (if you skip the parm).
This risotto hits like a main character monologue and tastes like emotional stability in a bowl.

🛒 YOU'LL NEED: 

• 1 cup Arborio rice (the good starchy kind) 🍚

• 1 small zucchini, finely diced 🥒

• 1/2 cup mushrooms, chopped 🍄 (shiitake, cremini, whatever’s moody)

• 1 small yellow onion, minced 🧅

• 2 cloves garlic, grated or crushed like your last situationship 🧄

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (the bold kind, obviously) 🫒

• 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional but recommended — for sipping while stirring) 🍷

• 3 cups veggie broth (warm, always warm) 🥄

• 1/4 cup grated parmesan or plant-based alternative 🧀

• 1 tbsp truffle oil (the real star) ✨

• Salt 🧂 + cracked black pepper to taste

• Chopped parsley for garnish 🌿 (because vibes)

🍳INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Saute:

In a deep pan, heat olive oil over medium. Toss in the onion, garlic, zucchini, and mushrooms. Sauté until soft, golden.

2. 🥂Add the rice + wine:

Stir in the Arborio rice. Let it toast for a minute or two. Add white wine if using, and let it simmer until it’s basically gone (like all your patience).

3. Enter: The broth

Add veggie broth one ladle at a time, stirring constantly and letting it fully absorb before adding more. It’s a slow process — but so are most good things. Keep going until the rice is tender and creamy, around 20 minutes. Stay committed. 👊

4. 😮💨Make it creamy

Once it’s looking thick and luscious, stir in the parmesan, salt, and pepper. Finish with a swirl of truffle oil. Don’t skip it. That’s the moment.

🥄 Serve It Up:

Spoon it into shallow bowls. Top with chopped parsley, extra parm, maybe a candle if you’re romantic like that.
Pair with gold hoops and an unapologetic playlist.

🕒 COOKING TIME:

• Prep: 10 mins

• Cook: 25 mins

• Total Time: 35 mins

👯 Serves:

2 hungry besties

After late-night edits. In the quiet between big moves.
This risotto reminds me to slow down. Highly recommend. ✨

Got thoughts? We’re all ears.
Drop a comment or write to us at hi@ateapearl.com — we’re always looking for fresh takes and contributors for Side Dishes.