There are few things as indulgent and delicious as a bowl full of creamy, luscious mushroom risotto flavoured with fresh black truffles. This one is a showstopper of note.
We’re getting fancy today because you guys, we are in the presence of French black winter truffles and just in case you didn’t know, truffles are actually known as “The diamonds of the kitchen”. I have, up to this point, never cooked with fresh truffles, always relying on truffle oil to give me that pungent kick. But now that I have, I’ve been spoiled for life. These beautiful truffles were sent to me by The Truffle Kitchen. They import the best quality truffles from Italy, France, Spain and Australia and then distribute them to all the top restaurants in the country. I was the lucky recipient of two perfect black winter truffles and to be honest, at first I was terrified. I just kept staring at them wondering how I would do them justice. I called on social media to help me with ideas and the resounding call from far and wide was: “Keep it simple.” Pasta with a simple truffle cream sauce and mushroom risotto were the clear favourites.
I decided to make black truffle and mushroom risotto because a) it’s one of my top 5 ever meals and b) I couldn’t think of a better way to showcase the truffles. To start, I used a fine grater to grate some of the truffle into soft butter which I used to saute the onion, garlic and mushrooms (the remaining butter was rolled and is now happily frozen in my freezer, waiting for a big juicy steak to infuse with flavour) plus I shaved the rest of the truffle into the stock to infuse that as well. Finely, just before serving I used a few last shavings to top the mushroom risotto which added a bit drama and luxury. So pretty much every element of this dish has been truffled. And the end result was just luscious, and fragrant and delectable. The truffles infused the mushroom risotto with their earthy pungency and made the mushrooms taste even mushroomier (is that even a word?) It was one of those meals I savoured with every, single bite because let’s get real, this is not an every day occurence. In fact, you’re lucky if you ever get to cook with fresh black truffles so indeed, every bite was appreciated and enjoyed to the full. This is the kind of meal you make when you are trying to impress the pants off of someone (mother-in-laws come to mind) but it would be equally wonderful as a meal to celebrate an anniversary or birthday. Add a good bottle of wine and you have an instant celebration.
(I saw a variation of this photo on Pinterest and searched high and low for the original photographer but couldn’t find them. It was such a beautiful way to photograph fresh truffles, I simply had to give it my own spin.)
Disclaimer: This post was not sponsored, however I did receive the fresh black winter truffles from The Truffle Kitchen.Â

Black truffle and mushroom risotto
Ingredients
- 50 g butter
- 2 teaspoons finely grated black truffle
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 1 x 250g punnet mushrooms of your choice sliced
- 1 x 250g punnet exotic mushrooms
- 500 g Arborio rice
- 1 cup white wine
- 4 cups mushroom/vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons black truffle shavings
- 1 tablespoon butter
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- handful Parmesan grated
- fresh black truffle to garnish
Instructions
- To make the risotto, fry the onion in the truffle butter in a large frying pan.
- When the onion is soft, add the garlic and fry for another 20 seconds or so then add the mushrooms. Fry until the mushrooms are golden brown then add the rice.
- Stir to coat the rice in the butter and aromatics then add the wine. Allow the wine to reduce then stir in the stock, ladle by ladle. Allow the rice to absorb the stock before adding more and stir continuously. It is this continuous stirring that creates the creaminess risotto is known for.
- When the risotto has absorbed approximately half of the liquid, start tasting it regularly as a good risotto can quickly be ruined by over cooking. Your risotto might also not need all the stock or it might need more, it all depends on the rice's absorbency.
- When the risotto is cooked to your preference, stir in the butter and Parmesan and season to taste with lemon, salt and pepper.
- Top with the fresh black truffle and serve.
It is the first time I cooked fresh truffles and followed your recipe , super delicious ?, now we are addicted and as you said it is a must try/ cook at least once , we’ve made plans to buy real truffles and cook once a month .In addition to your recipe I only added a bit of cooking cream and sour cream .
Delicious!
Not that I could afford a truffle, any colour, but the word “punnet” totally drove me right off the ledge! LOL Have a little French, but never heard that word before in thousands of recipes! LOL. i.e small pack? Gave it a 3 star, only because i will never be able to make it. Cheers
Haha, yep a punnet is a small pack of mushrooms/strawberries/etc. It’s an often-used word especially used by British cooks. And don’t worry, if I hadn’t been sent those truffles, I would also not be able to afford them. Truffle oil will give you a good result too!
Whoa. Those truffles stopped me in my tracks. And you definitely celebrated them by incorporating them into this creamy risotto. Risotto is my fall comfort food staple and I’m so envious of these babies. So, so good!
Mine too! I simply love risotto. These truffles were such a joy to work with, definitely something every cook should experience. 🙂
Yum! I am definitely saving this recipe for those cool fall days.
It’s definitely a good one for cool days Sam! 🙂
This risotto looks so luscious. Could I add some porcinis too?
Thanks Barbara. Yes, of course, If you’re using dried, just soak them in the stock with the truffles. If using fresh, simply slice and use as directed.
This looks so spectacular. Definitely a luxurious meal. I’m sure I’ll never make it with fresh truffles but it looks so delicious and creamy, I’ll just have to hunt down a good truffle oil. Your pictures are lovely too!
Thanks so much Jenni!
Oh! This is just gorgeous… your photography (those truffles!) and this recipe! I have to admit, I’ve not cooked with truffles before. Oil, yes, but I know it’s not the same. Why have I not done this?! This is my comfort food right here Alida. Sublime! Thank you for this!
Oh, thanks so much Traci! If you can find some fresh truffles, you must give them a go! They are something else. 🙂 x
I never cook with fresh truffles but would love to try it sometime. This looks creamy and delicious with all that parmesan!
Thanks Karen. It definitely is. Proper comfort food.