20 Minute Rainbow Veggie Risotto Recipes

20 MINUTE RAINBOW VEGGIE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Chop all the vegetables (except the peas!) into small bite sized pieces. Dissolve the stock cubes in a jug with the boiling water and keep this jug right beside your cooker.
• Heat a little oil in a large frying pan or wok. Add the risotto rice and fry gently for 2-3 minutes until the rice starts to change colour and is fully coated in the oil. Be sure to keep stirring the rice so it doesn't burn.
• Add a ladle of the stock to the rice one at a time. There should be just enough liquid to cover the rice but it shouldn't be swimming in it. Just as the rice is starting to run out of liquid, add another ladle of stock and keep repeating this until the rice is cooked. Don't worry if you don't use all the liquid, or if you need to add a bit extra. I find the amount can vary every time I make it.
• Meanwhile cook the vegetables however you like them. You can fry them, boil them or steam them.
• When the rice has cooked through (remember that risotto is traditionally supposed to have a slight bite to it, but it's up to you how you want to cook it) and all the stock has been absorbed, add the butter and cheese and give it a good stir. Finally add the vegetables and stir again.
• Serve immediately.

VERY EASY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook green onions in butter briefly, then add the rice. Cook and stir for a few minutes to toast rice. Stir in water, and season with chicken bouillon and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese.

RISOTTO OF SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Tip the rice into a pan of boiling, lightly salted water. Boil gently for 6 minutes then drain in a sieve. There should still be a white core in the centre of the grains. Spread the part-cooked rice on a clean tray, cool, then chill until you are ready to finish the risotto. If covered with cling film, the rice can be kept for up to 24 hours. Shave about 25g off the parmesan wedge and set aside for later. Finely grate the rest and save for use in Step 8.
• Blanch the broad beans for 1 minute in boiling water then drain and rinse them in a colander under cold water. Using your fingers, pop each bean from its skin. (Thawed frozen beans can be popped without blanching.)
• Trim the asparagus and cut the spears at an angle into lozenge shapes. Bring 1 litre of water to the boil in a large pan, add 1 tsp of sea salt, then the asparagus, shelled peas and beans. Return to a gentle boil and cook for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, put lots of ice cubes into a large bowl half filled with cold water.
• Drain the vegetables in a colander set over a bowl to catch and save the cooking water, then tip them straight into the bowl of iced water. When cold, drain again and set aside.
• Pour the saved vegetable water into a pan and whisk in the stock powder. When ready to finish the risotto, bring the stock to the boil and keep it on a simmer.
• In another large pan, gently sauté the shallot, spring onions and garlic in the 2 tablespoons of oil and half the butter for 3-5 minutes until softened. Stir in the wine and cook until reduced by half.
• Tip in the rice. Now add a ladle of boiling stock and stir until it is absorbed. Add the remaining stock, a ladle at a time, stirring until absorbed before you add more. This takes about 8 minutes, by which time the mixture should be slightly sloppy, not dry. You may not need all the stock. The rice is cooked when it is just softened and has a nice shiny glaze. Remove the garlic clove.
• Gently stir in the vegetables and remaining chives and return to a gentle simmer, adding a little extra stock if needed. Stir in the last of the butter, the grated parmesan and the mascarpone. Check the seasoning. Divide immediately between four warmed shallow bowls, drizzle over a little oil and scatter the parmesan shavings onto each serving.