There’s one thing that my favourite food store in Cheltenham could improve on, that’s fresh mushrooms. Restaurants can obtain UK grown girolles, chanterrelles or hedgehogs, the most exotic I could find in Whole Foods this afternoon were shiitake and chestnuts. Had to make do with dried porcinis from Mum, which I cooked for the stock as well. I fried all my ‘shrooms with a shallot, then added the arborio and got on with the usual procedure of wine, stock ( I sexed it up with extra chicken bulionette) and stirred until the rice cooked. Finished with some butter, grated parmesan, fresh thyme and truffle oil. Excellent with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

For dessert some grapes and a couple of excellent cheeses. Comte has been on out Top List ever since Moka introduced  it to us years ago, the other one we couldn’t remember the name of, but we knew we liked it last time and that it was great with the beer. Even without it it’s got deep, buttery flavour that makes one go mmmmmmmm. No wine to accompany it, as one is allowed a small glass a week due to a baby in one’s belly. 🙂