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Chef Michael McCarty shares two tasty recipes

Recipes for risotto with wild mushrooms and ‘Kim’s world-famous salad’

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  Yum! Michael’s white truffle risotto
Oct. 17: Chef McCarty shares with TODAY’s Natalie Morales two signature recipes from his new cookbook, “Welcome to Michael's.”

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updated 11:26 a.m. ET Oct. 18, 2007

In the mood for great food, great people and a great party? Then start prepping chef Michael McCarty’s delicious meals from his new cookbook, “Welcome to Michael’s.” The New York restaurant owner shares two of his signature dishes on TODAY: white truffle risotto with wild mushrooms and a salad with white wine-Dijon vinaigrette.

White truffle risotto (with wild mushrooms)
"Welcome to Michael's: Great Food, Great People, Great Party!" by Michael McCarty

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

5 to 6 cups chicken stock
5 tablespoons salted butter
2 shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
Pinch sea salt plus more to taste
2 cups Arborio or other medium-grain rice
1/2 cup champagne
2 tablespoons heavy cream, at room temperature
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground white pepper to taste
2 ounces fresh white truffles (substitute wild mushrooms – either porcini or chanterelles)

Recipe continues below ↓
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DIRECTIONS

Place the stock in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Immediately lower the heat to keep the stock very hot but not boiling. 

Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large shallow saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic along with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, for about 4 minutes or until the shallot is soft and translucent.

Stir in the rice and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes or until the rice is almost chalky in color and glistening. Add the champagne and cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes or until the wine has been absorbed by the rice. 

Begin adding the hot stock, about 1 cup at a time, and cook, stirring constantly, until the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. Do not add additional stock until the previous cup has been absorbed. Keep adding stock and stirring until the rice is al dente and a creamy “sauce” has formed. Stir in the heavy cream. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter along with the Parmesan. Season with salt and white pepper to taste.

When ready to serve, ladle out equal portions into large shallow soup bowls and shave the truffles over the top of each. 

TIPS

When truffles are not available you can make a wild mushroom risotto, sautéing porcini or chanterelles separately and then folding them into the rice at the last moment. 

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES




Kim's world-famous salad
"Welcome to Michael's: Great Food, Great People, Great Party!" by Michael McCarty

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

Salad

1 head Bibb lettuce, leaves separated but left whole
1 to 3 small bunches watercress, different kinds (cultivated, hydroponic, or wild), tough stems removed
1 large or 2 small heads Belgian endive, leaves chopped
1 bunch arugula leaves, stemmed, leaves left whole
1 bulb fennel, with fronds, bulb thinly shaved with a mandoline, whole fronds separated from stalks
1 bunch scallions, both white and green parts, thinly sliced crosswise
1 sweet onion, shaved with a mandoline
1 hothouse cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1/4 -inch slices
White wine-Dijon vinaigrette (see recipe below)
4 large white button mushrooms, thinly sliced
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives

White wine-Dijon vinagrette

1/4 cup dry white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Salad
Wash and dry all of the salad leaves. Pile them into a large salad bowl. Add all the sliced and shaved vegetables and mushrooms. Just before serving, add enough of the vinaigrette to coat the leaves well and toss thoroughly. Place an equal portion on each of 4 salad plates. Sprinkle with those chives!

White wine-Dijon vinaigrette
Combine the vinegar and mustard in a small mixing bowl. Add enough salt and pepper to dust the surface lightly and whisk to combine. Whisking constantly, add the oil in a thin stream, beating until well emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasonings with more salt and pepper if necessary. 

TIPS

You can also add tablespoon of chives or a squeeze of lemon juice to this dressing.

MANAGE YOUR RECIPES




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