Mushroom Risotto

Pour the water (see ingredients for amount) into a saucepan. Add the vegetable stock paste, then bring to the boil and stir together. Lower the heat - you want to just keep the stock warm. Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a large saucepan on medium heat. Once hot, add the bacon lardons and cook until golden, 3-4 mins. Add the mushrooms and leek to the bacon lardons and stir-fry until softened, another 5 mins. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw meat. Cook lardons thoroughly.

Add the risotto rice to the pan with the bacon and veg, and cook over medium-low heat until the edges of the rice are translucent, 2-3 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the cider vinegar, stir together and allow it to evaporate, about 30 seconds.

Stir in a ladle of your stock. When the stock has been absorbed by the rice, stir in another ladle of stock. Keep the pan on medium heat and continue stirring in stock, letting it absorb each time. The cooking time should take 20-25 mins and your risotto is done when your rice is ‘al dente’ - cooked through but with a tiny bit of firmness left in the middle.

When the risotto has 3 mins left, stir the mangetout through the risotto and cook for the remaining risotto cook time until just tender.