Asparagus-and-Lemon Risotto

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Photo: Andrew Purcell
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4

Risotto is a great base for all kinds of vegetables. It's done when it has a loose consistency and ripples when spooned into a bowl.

Ingredients

  • 6 cups vegetable stock, preferably homemade

  • ¼ cup olive oil

  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

  • 1 cup Arborio or Carnaroli rice

  • ½ cup dry white wine

  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed, stalks cut into 2-inch lengths

  • 1 cup thawed frozen peas

  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus more for garnish

  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • 1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

  • ½ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

  1. Bring stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan.

  2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat in another saucepan. Cook onion, stirring frequently, until soft, 6 to 7 minutes. Add rice, cook, stirring, until edges are translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring, just until evaporated.

  3. Add 1/2 cup hot stock; cook, stirring, until almost absorbed. Continue adding 1/2 cup stock in this manner until liquid is creamy and rice is al dente, about 20 minutes total (you may not need to add all the stock). Add asparagus with the last addition of stock, and the peas about 1 minute before risotto is done.

  4. Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest and juice, parsley, cheese, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional cheese and lemon zest.

Cook's Notes

To make this dish even healthier, replace the Arborio rice with fiber-rich pearl barley or a whole grain such as farro.

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, January 2013
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