Springtime Asparagus Risotto Recipes

SPRING ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat broth over medium-high heat.
• When it boils, reduce heat to a simmer and maintain over low heat, taste for salt and adjust as needed.
• In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, heat the oil and add the shallots; sauté 3-4 minutes.
• Add the rice; mix well so the rice is coated throughout and saute until the rice is slightly translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the wine and stir until it is absorbed.
• Add a ladleful of the simmering stock; stir and wait until it is absorbed before adding another ladleful stirring gently and almost constantly.
• Continue this process until the rice is creamy, tender to the bite, but slightly firm in the center.
• Add the asparagus along with the last ladle of broth and continue cooking 5 minutes, total time should be about 25-30 minutes from the time you started.
• When all the liquid is absorbed, remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, parsley and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
• Serve immediately and top with fresh cracked pepper, lemon zest, and extra grated cheese if desired.

SPRING GREEN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the leeks and fennel and saute for 5 to 7 minutes, until tender. Add the rice and stir for a minute to coat with the vegetables, oil, and butter. Add the white wine and simmer over low heat, stirring constantly, until most of the wine has been absorbed. Add the chicken stock, 2 ladles at a time, stirring almost constantly and waiting for the stock to be absorbed before adding more. This process should take 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the asparagus diagonally in 1 1/2-inch lengths and discard the tough ends. Blanch in boiling salted water for 4 to 5 minutes, until al dente. Drain and cool immediately in ice water. (If using fresh peas, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes until the starchiness is gone.)
• When the risotto has been cooking for 15 minutes, drain the asparagus and add it to the risotto with the peas, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Continue cooking and adding stock, stirring almost constantly, until the rice is tender but still firm.
• Whisk the lemon juice and mascarpone together in a small bowl. When the risotto is done, turn off the heat and stir in the mascarpone mixture plus the Parmesan cheese and chives. Set aside, off the heat, for a few minutes, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve hot with a sprinkling of chives and more Parmesan cheese.

SPRING ASPARAGUS & SHRIMP RISOTTO

Steps:

• Prep the ingredients: Bring 4 cups water and the stock concentrate to a simmer in a small pot over low heat. Remove the shrimp from the fridge and bring to room temperature. Trim and discard the bottom inch from the asparagus, then cut into 1-inch pieces. Halve, peel, and finely chop half the onion. Finely chop the garlic. Zest, then halve the Meyer lemon.
• Cook the onion: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion to the pan and cook, stirring for about 5 minutes, until soft. Add half the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• Blanch the asparagus: While the onions cook, drop the asparagus into the simmering stock for 1 minute, until bright green. Remove with a slotted spoon and rinse under cold water.
• Cook the rice: Stir the arborio rice into the onion mixture and stir to coat the rice. HINT: If you happen to have some white wine handy,t his would be a great time to add a splash! Just let it bubble until nearly evaporated.
• Add the stock: Begin adding the hot stock to the pan in 1/4 cup increments, stirring between each addition, until the liquid is absorbed. Continue until the rice is al dente and a loose sauce has formed, approximately 25-30 minutes.
• Cook the shrimp: In between stirrings, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a separate medium pan over medium heat. Add the shrimp, remaining garlic, and asparagus and cook, tossing for 3-4 minutes, until the shrimp are opaque. Season with salt and pepper.
• Finish and plate: When the risotto is tender, stir in the shrimp, asparagus, a pinch of lemon zest, half the parmesan cheese, and the butter. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
• Sprinkle the risotto with the remaining Parmesan cheese and enjoy!

SPRING ORZO RISOTTO

Steps:

• Pour vegetarian chicken broth and vegetable broth into a medium saucepan over over medium heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover until needed.
• Melt butter and oil together in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onion, pepper flakes, and a pinch of sea salt and pepper. Cook and stir for about 4 minutes before adding the zucchini and another pinch of sea salt. Stir and continue to cook for about 3 minutes. Next, stir in the dry orzo pasta and continue to cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
• Pour in wine, stirring as it bubbles until the rapid bubbling stops. Pour in hot broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat slightly and add cheese rind and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Cook and stir until a good portion of the liquid has been soaked up by the orzo, about 10 minutes. Stir in asparagus and frozen peas and continue to simmer until nearly all of the liquid is gone and orzo is fully cooked, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Stir in Grana Padano cheese, parsley, lemon zest and juice, and desired amount of cracked pepper. Remove and discard cheese rind. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired.

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Snap the woody ends off the asparagus stalks and tip them into a saucepan with the stock. Put on a low heat to very gently simmer. Meanwhile, cut off the tips of the asparagus, add to the stock for exactly 1 min. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and set aside. Finely slice the rest of the stalks into rounds.
• Heat the oil and half the butter in a heavy, wide pan. Cook the onions gently for 5 mins until soft, stirring often. Add the chopped asparagus stalks and cook for 2 mins more. Add the rice and continously stir for a few minutes until it turns semi-transparent and makes a hissing sound.
• Stir in the wine, if using - it will evaporate almost immediately. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring between each addition until it is absorbed, about 15 mins.
• Try the rice - it should feel just cooked with a slight bite to it. Stir in the asparagus tips and any last dregs of stock and cook for 1 or 2 mins more. Remove from the heat and top with the remaining butter and most of the parmesan. Season generously, cover and leave for a few minutes to settle.
• Give the risotto a thorough stir to incorporate the butter and cheese and serve straight away with the remaining parmesan for sprinkling over.