Finely chop your onion and mince your garlic cloves.
Clean your lobster mushrooms thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris. Slice them into thin pieces.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm up the olive oil before adding in the onions and garlic. Sauté until they become translucent.
Add in the Arborio rice stirring constantly until each grain is coated with oil - about two minutes.
Pour in one cup of vegetable broth while continuing to stir until most of it has been absorbed by the rice.
Repeat this process with both remaining cups of broth as well as the white wine – remember patience is key here! Allow each liquid addition time to be absorbed before adding more; this should take around twenty minutes total.
Stir in your prepared lobster mushrooms along with salt and pepper according to preference. Continue cooking for another five minutes or so until everything is heated through properly.
Lobster mushrooms are not actually a type of mushroom, but rather a unique parasitic fungus that grows on other mushrooms. They get their name from their vibrant red and orange color, which resembles the shell of a cooked lobster (their aroma can also be quite oceany when dried). Lobster mushrooms can be found in forests around the world, often growing on other fungi such as Russula or Lactarius species. Despite not being a mushroom themselves, lobster mushrooms are popular among foragers and chefs for their firm texture and rich umami flavor, which is said to resemble that of seafood.
Lobster mushrooms, despite their name, do not taste like lobster (although they do have a seafood-like aroma when dried). Some compare the taste to that of cooked lobster, while others find it closer to a combination of mushrooms and seafood. The texture of lobster mushrooms is also distinct, with a firm and slightly chewy consistency that adds a pleasant mouthfeel to dishes. Overall, lobster mushrooms offer a delightful culinary experience, making them a popular choice among mushroom enthusiasts and chefs alike.
Great question – check out our marketplace where you can buy lobster mushrooms directly from foragers and cultivators!
Read more here about lobster mushrooms.