Grilled Artichoke, Chestnut Mushroom and Zesty Thyme Risotto

Peel and very finely chop half your onion as finely as your knife skills allow. Peel and finely chop your garlic. Roughly slice the chestnut mushrooms. Pull your thyme leaves off their stalks. Grate the zest of your lemon.

Heat 1 tbsp of butter (if you have it) and 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large frying pan on medium-low heat. Tip: If you don’t have butter, use more olive oil or use the oil from the artichokes for extra flavour. Add the onion to the pan and cook for 3 mins, then add the garlic, mushrooms, thyme and lemon zest and continue to cook until everything is nice and soft. Tip: Do not let the onion burn - if it is cooking too fast, add 1 tbsp of water and turn the heat to low.

Add the risotto rice and stir for 1 minute until the grains are glossy. Turn heat to medium, add ½ tsp of salt and stir. Tip: After about 3 mins there should be a slight translucency around the edges of the rice. Now add the white wine vinegar and bubble for 30 seconds.

Add 2 ladles of stock to the rice and stir it with long, massaging motions. Once the stock is almost soaked in, add another 2 ladles and continue stirring. Continue adding stock and stirring until the rice is cooked (around 25 mins).

In the meantime, roughly chop the artichokes and parsley.