Amsterdam Eats

Published on February 19, 2015February 19, 2015 by T.W.O.6 Comments

Hallo!! T.W.O. ate a lot of good food in Amsterdam, and in this post we will be highlighting our favorite meals. Thank you to family and friends that sent us recommendations!! Enjoy!

Foodhallen – it’s the Dutch version of the Ferry Building in San Francisco, the Bourough Market in London and the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid. Our perfect place to spend a couple hours – tasting food and mingling with the locals. It was hard to choose a place to eat at so we had to visit the Foodhallen twice!!

Restaurant ‘t Zwaantje

If you are looking for traditional Dutch food, this is the place for you to go. It’s a quant restaurant located on Berenstraat and happen to be on the same street as our apartment. Not a far walk for us. The onion and vegetable soup, filet and chicken were all delicious. All entrees are served with chips/fries and a salad. Don’t forget the apple streusel – delicious!!! If you don’t walk out of there feeling satisfied….I don’t know where you went then!

Cafe George

Cafe George was the perfect dinner spot for us during our stay in Amsterdam. The diverse menu had something for everyone. The tomato soup and lobster bisque was the perfect start to our meal. We sipped on some vino while we enjoyed our main entree – pasta vongole and the lamb shank. Both were impeccable from the sauces they used to the side salad that accompanied the dishes. Since it was near our apartment, we stopped here for a glass of rosé and cheese plate one afternoon. Don’t miss out on a Cafe George visit!

The Seafood Bar

After touring the museums all morning and walking through the Vondelpark, The Seafood Bar is the ideal spot to grab lunch. It feels like you just stepped into a coastal lifestyle…classy, nautical and fabulous. The menu has something for everyone and will even satisfy the non-seafood type. The fish is fresh and cooked to perfection in the open aired kitchen. Make sure this is a spot on your to-do-list while visiting Amsterdam.

Vyne

Tired of Bier? Well, we got the spot for you. Vyne is a small wine bar located on the Prinsengracht and has an amazing wine list. They also serve small plates from Thursday till Sunday, so if you want something to eat and a delicious glass of wine from France, California, Italy, German, Australia or South America – this is the spot. If you are lucky enough like us, you might get to enjoy some “vault” wine with a famous local.

Pancakes!

It’s not a complete trip without eating at Pancakes!. T.W.O. was lucky enough to have it right across the street, so we rolled out of bed and were first in line on a brisk morning. Sounds crazy?….no not really. Every day there is a line out the door to get into this small cozy Dutch restaurant. We ordered the“poffertjes” (powdered sugar),goat cheese,spinach,garlic oil,pine nuts pancake, and a vegetable pancake. All were amazing!!! Don’t miss out on Pancakes!

Café De Doffer

For a quick lunch and drink, stop in this café. Its the perfect place to escape the cold and feel like a local.

Cheers,

Out & About in Amsterdam

Published on February 10, 2015February 10, 2015 by T.W.O.4 Comments

T.W.O. continues their trip exploring Amsterdam. Check out how we filled our Dutch days with fun activities….

Video Highlights: HERE

Flower Market

This is the only floating flower market in the world, and one of the most fragrant places of interest of Amsterdam – in all seasons. The flower stalls stand on the houseboats. You will find there all sorts of tulips, narcissus and other bulbs and flowers. The bulbs are ready for export, so you can enjoy them at home too. In December the market also sells Christmas trees.

Amsterdam Bike Tour

If you haven’t already noticed, T.W.O. likes to take in cities as the locals do so we decided to be Dutch for the day and rent bikes. We rented from Green Budget Bikes which was near our apartment. The rates were reasonable and the staff was very helpful showing us the best spots to see. We rode the perimeter of the city through the Vondelpark, passed the Heineken Experience and to the Brouwerij ‘t IJ Windmill Brewery. Its the perfect stop to grab a beer halfway through your ride. After we went towards Central Station where were spotted the second ‘I Amsterdam sign’. Riding bikes through the city was a must do and we can’t wait to do it again. Please note – riding bikes can be a little nerve racking especially if you are not comfortable on a bike. You share the lane with vespas and have to dodge other bicyclists. That didn’t stop us though, it was a fun adventure!!

Rijksmuseum

Though we enjoyed the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijks Museum was our favorite Museum in Amsterdam. It’s a Netherlands national museum dedicated to arts and history in Amsterdam. The museum is spacious and has various types of art from antique furniture to war cannons to the famous painting by Rembrandt Night Watch. Get your tickets HERE and you will be able to walk right in without waiting in the ticket line. Note – photography is permitted.

Canal Tour on The Tourist

The last night of our stay in Amsterdam, we stayed at the Pulitzer Hotel in Amsterdam. It is a beautiful hotel in the Jordaan area right on the canal. We loved staying here and maybe part of it was that one of our favorite films was located in this hotel…Oceans 12 or maybe it was because we had an amazing night on The Tourist!!! Its the same boat that has toured Winston Churchill through the canals along with the Queen. T.W.O. suggests taking this tour at night so you can appreciate all the lights on the canals and buildings. We were lucky too since we were there during the Festival of Lights. There were different parts of the city that had ‘exhibit’s. Check them out below…

IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN SHARING AN AMAZING TRIP WITH YOUR SISTER!

Hallo Amsterdam

Published on February 4, 2015February 4, 2015 by T.W.O.3 Comments

LONDON -> AMS

From London to Amsterdam we go!. You can’t go around it, got to go through it….Yes indeed our train took us underneath the English Channel to France and then to Brussels on EuroStar and then changed trains (Thalys) to get to our final destination. (No need to book tickets separately…the EuroStar site does it for you.) The train ride was great – we enjoyed the countryside and our cabin company for a total ride of 4 hours. The 21 minutes underneath the English Channel wasn’t a big deal…a couple ear pops and loss of cell phone reception and we made it to the other side! In typical T.W.O. fashion… we brought snacks for the train ride – sandwiches + salads + rosé!

New Years Eve

We arrived to Amsterdam on New Years Eve. After checking in at our Airbnb apartment, we walked around before we got ready for the big night. We stumbled upon a cheese shop and a bakery that sold oliebollens (delicious round doughnuts coated with icing sugar) and ‘appelflappen’ (tasty apple fritters). And they sure were good-good-good!! After cruising a couple of The Nine Streets we headed home to get ready for our NYE out! We had dinner (will discuss in Amsterdam Eats post) and then headed to a local pub where we watched the fireworks. Oh and ‘minor’ detail….Trigere did the NYE countdown for the entire audience present in the pub! haha.. IN ENGLISH!! Needless to say we danced the night away and had fun with our new Dutch Friends.

Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House is a must see in Amsterdam….get your tickets before hand though. The lines are long and not worth it if you don’t get your tickets HERE. Arrive on time and you will be let in a side door where you can immediately start your tour. It’s a very interesting tour about Anne and her family during 1925-1947. Being in the same house that was their hideout was pretty incredible and unnerving at the same time. This is a MUST see while in Amsterdam. Please note – there is no photography allowed in the museum.

Van Gogh Museum

Van Gogh …the post-Impressionist Dutch painter whose work was notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty who was a big part of 20th century art. While in Amsterdam we had to stop in the Van Gogh Museum which houses the most prestigious paintings and drawings from Vincent along with his artist friends. Before you go, make sure to get your tickets HERE, so you avoid the long lines. After visiting the museum you can take pictures in front of one of the three “I amsterdam” sign. (Pictures were not allowed in this museum, expect for designated areas.)

VondelPark

The VondelPark is the Central Park of Amsterdam. Its where people have picnics, take walks, ride bikes, run and kick a soccer ball around. We enjoyed strolling around this park after a couple hours in the museum. Take note of the lost and founds that are around the park…you never know what you are going to see hanging on them!

Canal Walks

T.W.O. enjoyed walking around The Nine Streets popping into stores and pubs occasionally. The Nine Streets is home to many restaurants, pubs, cafes and boutiques. It was the area we stayed and would suggest staying here to any one….Jordaan region. There is no place in this city that has a bad view.

Tot ziens,

London Eats

Published on January 29, 2015May 12, 2016 by T.W.O.1 Comment

Other than seeing the attractions of London, we had to make sure we ate well. There are so many restaurants and pubs that are highly recommended on the internet. Even though the internet is a great place to search, personal recommendations from family and friends are even better. Thank you to a wonderful coworker, who gave us her favorite places to eat in London. Needless to say, T.W.O. ate very well and we are happy to share these spots with our friends and family!

The Market Tavern

Tucked amongst the chic boutiques and intimate cafés of Shepherd Market, The Market Tavern is a city pub where every drink is poured with a generous serving of quirky personality. The Pub is know for the best Sunday roast in Mayfair. It’s tucked away on a windy street, but don’t let that deter you from walking in. T.W.O. ordered the Sea Bream and the Rib Eye steak. Both were fabulous….the Sea Bream being our favorite of the two.

Thomas Cubitt

Located in the middle of Belgravia on a distinguished nd desirable street, The Thomas Cubitt is a cozy restaurant with beautiful food and great atmosphere. Since they are know for their Fish & Chips, we ordered one of those and the Beef Braised Guinness Pie. There are two dining rooms, Ground Floor and the First Floor. For a casual dining experience the Ground Floor is great (that’s where we sat) where the First Floor is more intimate. T.W.O. perfect for a London night night!

Blackfriars Pub

“A traditional pub of unique character, revered for its eclectic range of real ales and its quality pub food which are served, as they should be, with a generous measure of famous British hospitality.” After a day of walking around London, we popped into this pub to grab a beer. Its near the financial district, so expect to see professionals grabbing a beer with their colleagues. Perfect place for T.W.O. (Might meet a young lad!) We loved standing at the bar sipping a beer chatting away with locals! Everyone was so friendly! Vier?!?!

Paul

Conveniently located near our hotel and the S. Kensington Underground, it was the perfect place to grab a flat white and a croissant.

Whiskey Ginger

Located in the Borough providing high quality food all sourced as close to home as possible. We stumbled upon this place while walking through the Borough Market. It was a quant little restaurant that was calling our name. They were serving mulled outside, but we decided on a local beer. Its a perfect place to stop and take a load off your feet between the Tower of London and the Market tour.

Casa Brindisa

We discovered Casa Brindisa through Gwyneth Paltrow. She wrote it up as one of her favorite restaurants in London. Being a GOOP supported and have been to Spain just a year and half ago, we decided to try it. The padron peppers were delicious and everything else from there was just alright. Let’s just say they were heavy on their oil. It was kind of a disappointment – but at least we had a fun, young waiter keeping us entertained!

Zetland Arms

TRADITIONAL.ENGLISH.PUB – CHECK! Located in S. Kensignton, this pub was the perfect stop to warm up after a long day being a tourist.

Ampersand Hotel -Apero

T.W.O. stayed at the Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington. It is a boutique hotel that is in the perfect location and cutest neighborhood. The staff was very nice and helpful during our stay. The deluxe rooms are the perfect size for two people who have big suitcases and did i mention the bathroom floors are heated? Oh and they stock the fridge with waters, orange juice and milk every day at no extra cost. There is also a tea bar that you can enjoy in-suite. We loved staying in this hotel and would suggest it to friends and family. One amenity that will take us back to this hotel is the breakfast at the Apero. It was absolutely divine. Tucked beneath the Victorian cellar arches of The Ampersand Hotel, Apero brings a shot of fresh Mediterranean style to the heart of South Kensington. The Coconut Porridge with Caramelized Bananas was the perfect start to our morning. How English of us, right? We also tried the Goat Cheese & Herb Egg White Omelet. Top 5 best omelets ever eaten! The baked goods are delicious – chocolate brioche slice in particular! And the coffee….perfectly made latte! Cheers to Apero and another trip back!

Here are some places we didn’t get a chance to try, but are on our list for our next trip!

Polpo

Polpo is a bàcaro. This is a Venetian word to describe a humble restaurant serving simple food and good, young local wines.

Bumpkin

Bumpkin is your local Great British Brasserie, a home from home serving delicious British dishes, made with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. Bumpkin is your perfect neighbourhood retreat and we look forward to serving you the best in British food soon.

Can’t wait to go back and be less of a tourist and more of a local!

VIDEO

Cheerio,

Spaghetti alle Vongole

Published on January 27, 2015January 26, 2015 by T.W.O.1 Comment

Spaghetti alle vongole is a dish that we love ordering while dining out. Typically pasta isn’t on the weekly menu at our house, but with this dish we made an exception. There is nothing like pasta loaded with a ton of clams, lemon juice, garlic and fresh parsley. Some of the best spaghetti alle vongole we have had has been in Italy, Amsterdam, San Francisco and now in T.W.O.’s kitchen. Check out how to make this recipe for your family and friends!

Spaghetti alle Vongole

Ingredients:
– 1 lb dry spaghetti*
– 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
– 1 Tablespoon red pepper flakes
– 2 lbs littleneck or Manila clams
– 3/4 cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio)
– 2 meyer lemons, juiced
– 1 1/2- 2 cups fresh flat-parsley, chopped
– 1 1/2 cup mizithra cheese, grated
– Sea Salt
– Pepper

* T.W.O. tried a gluten-free pasta which tasted exactly like regular pasta. Our guest didn’t even know it!

Directions:
1. Wash and scrub the clams.
2. Cook pasta as directed. While the pasta is cooking prepare the sauce.
3. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a deep sauce pan with a lid. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes. Add the clams, wine and lemon juice. Cover and cook for 7 minutes or until the clams open. Discard any clams that do not open.
4. Over medium heat, add the drained spaghetti and season with salt and pepper. Toss carefully. Plate the pasta and clams and top with fresh parsley and mizithra cheese. Sprinkle with lemon juice if desired.
5. Enjoy!

Bon Appétit,

The Sites of London (Part 2)

Published on January 22, 2015January 22, 2015 by T.W.O.2 Comments

Another beautiful day was spent in London, England. Hope you don’t get too exhausted from our tour around the city on Day #2…the key is knowing your Underground route prior to leaving! Mind the Gap!!!

Big Ben + House of Parliament + The London Eye

“The name Big Ben is often used to describe the tower, the clock and the bell but the name was first given to the Great Bell.The Elizabeth Tower, which stands at the north end of the Houses of Parliament, was completed in 1859 and the Great Clock started on 31 May, with the Great Bell’s strikes heard for the first time on 11 July and the quarter bells first chimed on 7 September.”

“The Palace of Westminster is the meeting place of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Commonly known as the Houses of Parliament after its tenants, the Palace lies on the Middlesex bank of the River Thames in the City of Westminster.”

“The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. The 32 air-conditioned capsules can each hold up to 25 people. The wheel rotates at 26 cm (10 in) per second (about 0.9 km/h or 0.6 mph) so that one revolution takes about 30 minutes. It does not usually stop to take on passengers; the rotation rate is slow enough to allow passengers to walk on and off the moving capsules at ground level.”

Westminister Abbey

KATE, KATE!!! We were a couple years late, but we made it to the Church that Kate Middleton became a Duchess and married her Prince Charming! The line was really long to get in and the tickets were about 18 pounds, so we opted to just walk around the grounds and visit the gift shop. Loved this Church and maybe next time we visit, we will be walking down that aisle…oh hey Harry!!!! haha!

Churchill War Rooms

This is an absolute MUST see and one of our favorite tourist sites we visited. It was interesting seeing the perspective of the British and how they made out during the way. We experienced the secret history underground that was lead by Churchill. Well worth the money and the best part….hardly any lines!!!

Covent Gardens

“Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin’s Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as “Covent Garden”. ” It was the perfect place to stop for lunch and walk around on our way to Notting Hill. Mind the Gap!

Underground Fun

Some favorite memories from the Underground…. “MIND THE GAP” + “This is the Piccadilly line to Cockfosters.”

Notting Hill

Confirmed…it’s like what you see in the movie, but BETTER! We had so much fun walking down the street and can’t wait to go back and visit some boutiques and cafes! Bumpkin maybe??

Kensington Palace

From Notting Hill we walked through the Kensington Palace Gates down the street that was home to many international embassies. We wouldn’t mind living on this block – oh hey Kate, can i borrow some sugar? We were able to walk the grounds of the Palace and feel like we were residence. No Kate or George sightings, but that didn’t ruin our visit. The garden behind the Palace reminded me of Central Park. It was a beautiful setting! We left the Palace and walked down Queen’s Gate back to South Kensington. Loved that street – it was more residential and didn’t have the hustle and bustle the city centre had – nice break!

TRAILER VIDEO HERE

Cheerio,

London Sites (Part 1)

Published on January 20, 2015January 19, 2015 by T.W.O.5 Comments

T.W.O. traveled to Europe this past Holiday Season for 11 days. On the itinerary… London, England and Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was the perfect time to go since all the Christmas decorations were on display in both cities and we timed our visit perfectly with great weather. It was cold, yes, but we couldn’t complain since we had many sunny days and hardly any rain. In these next posts you will find out why we loved London and Amsterdam so much. Thank you to all our family and friends who gave us recommendations and help make this trip a huge success!

LAX -> LHR

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has served as the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837 and today is the administrative headquarters of the Monarch. It was one place we wanted to see from the outside since it’s so iconic with hopes to maybe see the Queen (or Kate!). haha! We also planned our visit based on The Changing of the Guards. It doesn’t happen every day – so before you go check the site. The ceremony starts at 11:15am and we learned that you have to get there early for front row seats. Unfortunately, we didn’t so we saw a lot of selfie sticks instead of the ceremony. We got some small glimpse of the March and made some friends with two nice Belgians guys and after 30 minutes we decided to beat the crowd and leave. Got our pictures and headed towards the London Bridge.

St. James Place
St James’s Place is a street in the St James’s district of London near Green Park.[1] It was first developed around 1694, the historian John Strype describing it in 1720 as a “good Street … which receiveth a fresh Air out of the Park; the Houses are well-built, and inhabited by Gentry …”[2][3] Henry Benjamin Wheatley wrote in 1870 that it was “one of the oddest built streets in London.

London Bridge + Tower Bridge + Thames River Walk

We took a cab from Victoria Station since the District and Circle lines were closed for maintenance and we didn’t want to have to deal with the crowds getting on the Underground. It was a fun experience! We traveled along the Thames River and were dropped off on the London Bridge. The London Bridge was the perfect place for photo ops of the Tower of London. Highly suggest going here and then walking over to the Bourough Market.

Borough Market

Borough Market is London’s most renowned food market; a source of exceptional British and international produce. It was the perfect place for T.W.O. to walk around – YES our cup of tea! We love strolling through these international markets exploring the produce, baked goods and the creations each vendor displays. What better place for a food bloggers paradise! Make sure to check the times of the market on the website !

Tower of London – Crown Jewels

Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It the home of the Crown Jewels – – which was the first place we stopped. Since we were there later in the day, the line for the Jewels was pretty long. We suggest getting there before 10am to avoid lines. Make sure to get a Beefeater tour of the Tower – great way to learn the history behind this historical landmark. Also – get tickets online HERE to save time.

Cheers to a fun day in London!! VIDEO TRAILER HERE! More to come…

Cheerio,

Dutch Tomato Soup

Published on January 15, 2015January 13, 2015 by T.W.O.7 Comments

T.W.O. spent some time in Amsterdam over the Holidays and discovered how amazing their tomato soup was. The Dutch made it the right way – hearty, full of flavor and fresh tasting. Each afternoon we escaped the cold and went into a café ordered some mint tea and a bowl of soup. Most (well maybe all) of the time the tea was followed by a glass of craft ‘bier’ that was on tap…Heineken, Witte Brouwerij ‘t IJ, Amstel, the list goes on. We had to do as the locals do! Anyways, we got home to the States and decided to recreate the tastes and flavor of the tomato soup in our own kitchen. In our eyes, we pretty much perfected the Dutch recip. We were missing one thing though…the ambiance. There is no place like Europe!

Hope you have fun making the soup; we did! Also, make sure to check the blog next week we will be featuring a portion of our Europe trip! #BritTwoDutch

Ingredients
-3 lbs fresh tomatoes (we used tomatoes on a vine)
– 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
– 2 cups sweet onion, chopped
– 1 cup carrots, peeled and diced
– 1 cup celery, chopped
– 2 Tablespoons garlic, chopped
– 2 bay leaves
– 1 cup fresh basil,chopped
– 2 large sprigs thyme
– 2 large stalks Italian flat-leaf parsley
– 1 cup vegetable broth (low sodium)
– 1 15oz canned tomato sauce
– 1 Tablespoon sugar
-5 Tablespoons tomato paste, divided
– Salt
– Pepper
– Red pepper flakes

Instructions
1. Take the tomatoes and cup in half. Remove the seeds using a stainer making sure to save the juice in a bowl underneath. Place the tomatoes in another bowl. Take the liquid left in the strainer bowl and add to the tomato halves.
2. In a large heavy bottomed pot, add olive oil, onions, carrots, celery, garlic and bay leaves. Cook over medium high for five minutes. Add tomato halves with juice.
3. Add half of the fresh cut up basil. Tie whole thyme and whole parsley together with twine and place in pot.
4. Add broth, tomato juice, sugar, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer, cover and cook 30 minutes.
5. Remove and discard bay leaves, thyme and parsley.
6.Add second half of basil to the soup. Stir in pepper flakes and butter. With a food processor, blend soup until completely pureed.
7. Add the soup back into the pot and cook for 10 minutes. (If you like it thick, add the remaining two tablespoons of tomato paste. )

Happy Cooking,

Carne Asada Tacos with Roasted Butternut Squash

Published on January 13, 2015January 12, 2015 by T.W.O.2 Comments

Taco Tuesday! Today we are featuring carne asada tacos with roasted butternut squash. It’s a simple, flavorful and hearty meal that will have your audience asking for seconds. Don’t be nervous about using squash in your dish – it makes the tacos sweeter! Happy cooking!

Carne Asada Tacos with Roasted Butternut Squash

Ingredients:
– 3 lbs carne asada
– 1 meyer lemon
– 2 Tablespoon cayenne pepper
– 2 Tablespoon onion powder
– 1/2 chopped cilantro
– 2 avocados
– Salsa
– corn tortillas
– 1 butternut squash, cubed
– 1 Tablespoon olive oil
– Krazy Salt
– Sea Salt
– Pepper
– Cilantro (for garnish)

Directions:
1. Marinate carne asada with lemon, cayenne pepper, onion powder and cilantro. Set aside.
2. On a lined baking sheet (parchment paper), toss cubed butternut squash with olive oil, Krazy Salt and Pepper. Once the oven is at 415 degrees, place sheet in the oven and cook for 30 minutes. At the halfway point, flip the squash.
3. When the squash is about 15 minutes away from being done, put the carne asada on the bbq. Cook until done, but be careful not to overcook. Carne asada cooks fast.
4. Once done, remove and assemble your tacos. Add some tapatio and some salsa and you have your self a delicious dish!

Cheers,

Risotto with Meyer Lemons

Published on January 8, 2015December 23, 2014 by T.W.O.Leave a comment

With the holidays being over, cooking sounds like the last thing to do. Well not for T.W.O.! We are excited to share recipes with you and this year we are kicking off the Recipe of the Day with Meyer Lemon Risotto. A co-worker gifted this fabulous Buvette cookbook during a Christmas exchange. It is one of her favorite restaurants in New York (also in Paris) and we can’t wait to go to Buvette after making this fabulous dish. T.W.O. added mushrooms to our dish to step it up. Flavor not needed though if you don’t like mushrooms. Enjoy!

Meyer Lemon Risotto

(as seen in the Buvette cookbook)

Ingredients:
– 4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– 1 shallot, chopped
– 1 cup risotto rice (or Arborio)
– 1/4 cup dry white wine
– 3-4 cups boiling water
– 2 Meyer lemons
– 1 sprig fresh basil
– 1 small box of crimnini mushrooms, sliced
– 1 cup finely grated pecorino romano
– Salt

Directions:
1. Warm 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high-heat. Add the shallot and cook for 2 minutes.
2. Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, until it turns opaque and starts to make a popping noise. (1-2 minutes)
3. Add the white wine and pinch of salt. Cook until the wine has nearly evaporated. (about 2 minutes)
4. Add a cup of boiling water and cook, stirring continuously, until the water has nearly evaporated. Add more water when the surface of the rice is coated with small bubbles. Repeat with the second cup of water and add the lemon zest and mushrooms.
5. Add a third cup of water and the basil sprig and cook until the liquid is almost gone. Test the rice and make sure it is cooked. If not, add some more water. This process should take about 20 minutes.
6. Once the rice is cooked, remove from heat and add the cheese. Season the risotto with salt and pepper and serve!