Fabio Vivani’s Truffle Mushroom Risotto for BALANI

November 17, 2016 Elizabeth Fasula Blog

Truffle Mushroom Risotto Recipe

There comes a time in every man’s life where it becomes absolutely pivotal for him to cook a mouth-wateringly incredible meal. We’re not talking about just any old recipe; it’s THE recipe. A show stopper to be exact. One that makes a lasting impression, and is coveted deeply in your culinary arsenal.

This is that recipe.

Ingredients:
(SERVES 4-6)

– 2 C. Aborio Rice

– 1 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

– 2 T. Butter (unsalted)

– 2 EA. Spanish White Onion (diced)

– ½ C. Dry White Wine

– 6 C. Vegetable Stock

– 1½ C. Mixed Mushrooms, Roasted (Shitake & Oyster) **We added baby bella mushrooms to our recipe**

– 1 C. Fava Beans (Cleaned)

– ½ C. Robiola Cheese (Can be substituted for a Mild Brie Cheese)

– 2 T. Truffle Butter

– 1 T. White Truffle Oil

– 2 T. Truffle Pate (Found in specialty stores like Eataly or online at Amazon.com)

– ½ C. Grated Grana Padano

– Salt & Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

STEP 1: In a large sauté pan, melt the butter with the olive oil, once it is melted and hot sauté the onion until translucent.

STEP 2: Add the Aborio Rice and toast it, stirring constantly for 2 min.

STEP 3: Add the white wine and cook until the wine is completely evaporated.

STEP 4: Add Fava Beans & Mushrooms, cooking till well incorporated about 1 min.

STEP 5: Add 2 C. of the vegetable stock & cook stirring constantly until the stock is evaporated.

STEP 6: Add more stock ½ C. at a time letting it get absorbed before adding the next one. Continue this process until the rice is tender but still has a little bit of a bite to it about 18-20 min. Stir, stir, stir!

STEP 7: To finish the risotto add the Robiola and Grana Padano, cooking the cheeses into the risotto to make it nice & creamy.

STEP 8: Add the truffle ingredients, butter, oil, & pate. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Serve on plates garnished with micro greens and enjoy!

Top Five Things to Look for in Your Custom Tailor

October 20, 2011 Sonny Balani Blog, The Gentleman's Guide

We break down the top five things that every custom tailor should have.

5. Custom experience. Your individual experience at a tailor shop is just as unique as the garment itself. The appointment should be relaxed and stress-free, with everything at your fingertips: fabric swatches, design examples, full-length mirrors and an expert tailor to guide you through the process.

4. Tradition of excellence. A great tailor should have a long-standing reputation of quality and craftsmanship, with a rich history in custom tailoring. Creating a hand-made custom suit requires a great deal of skill and client service that spans generations.

3. Awards and recognition. An excellent review from a publication or online review from a current client is one of the best testaments to a tailor shop’s expertise.

2. Outstanding client relationships. A custom tailor must understand your personal and professional goals, and then help you craft your style to achieve them. The best-dressed men in the world (e.g. Cary Grant, Sean Connery and George Clooney) always had a tailor close by who kept them looking sharp.

1. The finest quality. Nothing else matters unless you walk away wearing your new favorite suit. The best part about going custom is knowing that every detail of your wardrobe is perfectly hand-tailored—from the lining pattern to the thread color—for you and you alone.

Crain’s New in Chicago

September 16, 2010 Sonny Balani News, Stories No comments

Crain’s Chicago Business
Excerpt: This family-owned business, which sells custom-tailored menswear at 10 S. LaSalle St., will open a second location at 55 W. Monroe St. on Wednesday (Sept. 15). Owner Sonny Balani says business is booming. “Overall, we’re up 80% over last year,” he says. “There was a lot of pent-up demand.” Customers who had put off clothing purchases during the recession are spending more money now as they dress up, he explains. The company is doubling its workforce and tripling its capacity in 2010. Mr. Balani runs the company with his father, Peter, who started it in 1961. Sonny Balani says the company prides itself on old-fashioned customer service, but the stores have a sleek, contemporary look. The Balanis worked with Apple Inc.’s business-development unit to create “learning kiosks” where customers can see how their custom suits will look — on the screen of an iPad. Flat-screen TVs display recent examples of menswear created by the store’s tailors.

View Article >>

It’s Official!

August 3, 2010 Sonny Balani Blog, The Balani Buzz No comments

Balani Custom Clothiers Flagship Store, located at 55 W. Monroe, in the Chicago Loop on the ground level, is opening today! The new space boasts triple the space, ensuring ease of scheduling appointments and fittings, as well as a greater variety of men’s furnishings including shoes, ties, cufflinks and socks.
Consultants Ricardo Bucio and Elizabeth Fasula will make the transition to the Flagship Store and would like to invite their clients in for a preview this week between 9:30AM-6:00pm. Moving forward, appointments or fittings scheduled with Ricardo or Elizabeth will be at 55 W. Monroe unless otherwise requested. Joe Mapes will continue to “Keep it Real” and hold down the fort at 10 S. LaSalle.

And while trite, we want to thank our clients for their continued business as this milestone wouldn’t be possible without you.

Cheers,
The Balani Team