PORCINI RISOTTO CAKES WITH TARRAGON

Porcini Risotto Cakes with Tarragon image

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (available at Italian markets and specialty foods stores)
3 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup chopped onion
1 cup arborio rice or medium-grain white rice
3 1/2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
1/2 cup chopped peeled carrot
1/3 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
4 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 large egg, beaten to blend
Fresh tarragon sprigs
Carrot curls

Steps:

Place porcini in small bowl. Pour enough boiling water over just to cover. Let stand until mushrooms soften, about 30 minutes. Rinse and drain well. Chop mushrooms and reserve.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until almost tender, about 3 minutes. Add rice and stir 2 minutes. Mix in 3 cups chicken broth. Add porcini mushrooms and chopped carrot and simmer until risotto is very thick (wooden spoon drawn across bottom of pan will leave wide path) and rice is tender, stirring frequently and adding remaining chicken broth by 1/4 cupfuls if rice needs additional cooking, about 18 minutes. Mix in Pecorino Romano cheese and chopped tarragon; season risotto mixture to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl. Mix in egg. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Form mixture into six 3- to 3 1/2-inch-diameter patties, using about 1/2 cup risotto for each. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add risotto patties and cook until brown, about 5 minutes per side. transfer risotto cakes to plates. Garnish with tarragon sprigs and carrot curls.