Chef John's Baked Mushroom Risotto

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Melt butter in large, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; season with salt, and cook and stir mushrooms until brown. They will begin browning after the moisture evaporates.

Step 3

Reduce heat to medium and stir in onion. Sprinkle with black pepper and cayenne pepper. Cook and stir until onions are translucent and soft.

Step 4

Pour rice into skillet and stir until each rice grain is coated with butter. Season with salt.

Step 5

Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the rice mixture. Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring rice until liquid is completely absorbed by the rice.

Step 6

Pour another cup chicken stock into the rice and stir until mixture comes to a simmer.

Step 7

Bake in preheated oven until grains are almost tender but still slightly firm, about 15 minutes. Transfer skillet to stovetop. Season with more salt, if necessary.

Step 8

Combine the remaining 1/2 cup chicken broth and cream; pour into the skillet. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until rice is tender, 1 or 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.

Step 9

Drizzle 2 tablespoons cream over rice. Add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and chives; stir. Serve immediately.