A risotto for early summer
By Barney Desmazery
Cooking time
Cook: 50 minsSkill level
Moderately easyServings
Serves 1Deliciously creamy risotto without being too rich
Nutrition and extra info
Additional info
- Vegetarian
Nutrition per serving
- kcalories
- 674
- protein
- 21g
- carbs
- 83g
- fat
- 28g
- saturates
- 6g
- fibre
- 8g
- sugar
- 0g
- salt
- 1.78g
Ingredients
- 450ml vegetable stock, made wth half a stock cube
- 4 asparagus spears, trimmed (trimmings kept) and each spear sliced into 4
- 200-250g/8-9oz peas in the pod, about 85g/3oz podded (pods kept)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 85ml risotto rice
- 3 tbsp white wine (keep the rest of the bottle chilling)
- small handful of freshly grated parmesan (or vegetarian alternative)
- small handful of rocket and a few parmesan (or vegetarian alternative) shavings, to serve
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Method
- Simmer the stock for 10 minutes with the asparagus trimmings and pea pods; these will intensify the flavour. Strain into a jug.
- While the stock is simmering, heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a wide, shallow pan. Tip in the onion and fry gently for 5-6 minutes, stirring, until it is soft but not coloured. Add the rice and continue to stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the grains become see-through at the edges and begin to make ‘clicking’ noises.
- Add the wine (it should bubble and evaporate), then 50ml/2fl oz of the stock. Stir well and simmer gently until all the liquid has been absorbed. Now pour in another 50ml/2fl oz stock and stir again. Continue adding the stock and stirring. After about 7 minutes, when half the stock has been added, swirl in the asparagus and peas. Carry on adding stock in small amounts until it has been absorbed; this will take about 10 more minutes. Now the risotto should be a little wet and sloppy and the rice tender with a nutty bite.
- Turn off the heat, then gently stir in the grated Parmesan, taste and season. You may need only a little black pepper as the Parmesan and stock are both salty. Spoon the risotto on to a plate, top with the rocket, drizzle with the remaining olive oil and scatter with Parmesan shavings. Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy your meal.
Recipe from Good Food magazine, June 2002
Comments, questions and tips
Comments
Fabulous! I added frozen broad beans and used frozen peas instead of fresh, and also added a courgette cut into small chunks. Took a lot longer to cook than expected, but the effort was well worth it! Particularly good with a large glass of dry white wine alongside... The flavour and texture of the rocket really complimented this dish. I shall be making this again!
Fab recipe! I got risotto rice from sainsbury's where the regular rice is! I cooked asparagus seperately with some chicken strips and kept warm until the rice was ready then added the veg. I also added runner beans. I cooked the onion in butter & olive oil untilsoft then added rice and continued with the recipe!
Considering there is no cream it is deliciously creamy!!
I have to quadrupal the amount for my lot! They didn't think they'd like it but soon vanished and I've had to make several times!!