Sweet Pea Scallop And Mint Risotto Recipes

SWEET PEA AND SCALLOP RISOTTO

Steps:

• Put 1 cup peas and 1/3 cup chicken stock into a blender and blend until smooth; set aside. Place a large, deep skillet over medium heat and pour in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add celery and shallots and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, until soft. Stir in rice, making sure to coat all the rice grains with the oil. Add wine and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Ladle in 1 cup of hot stock. Using a wooden spoon, stir gently until most of the stock has been absorbed. Keep adding stock, a cup at a time, and stirring. After about 10 to 15 minutes, test the rice. It should be cooked and creamy but still have a slight bite to it. (You may not need all of the stock.) Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the butter and Parmesan. Gently fold in the pea puree and remaining 1 cup whole peas. Taste for seasoning. Remove from the heat and cover while you sear the scallops.
• Set a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Pat the scallops with paper towels to make sure they are very dry. Season on both sides with salt and pepper. Add scallops to pan, making sure not to overcrowd, and cook until they are nicely browned on both sides, about 4 to 8 minutes depending on the size of your scallops.
• Check the risotto and add a bit more stock if it has gotten too thick. In a shallow bowl or plate, make a nice mound of risotto and top with 3 or 4 scallops. Garnish with the Spring Green Salad, Parmesan, and olive oil. Serve immediately.

PEA AND MINT RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring the chicken broth to a bare simmer in a medium saucepan.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic, and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the Arborio, stirring to coat. Add the wine and simmer until evaporated.
• Add just enough of the simmering stock to cover the rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until the rice is almost dry; adjust the heat to keep the liquid at a low bubble. Repeat with more stock to cover. Continue to cook in this manner until the rice is creamy and al dente, 20 to 25 minutes total; you may not use all of the broth.
• Add the peas and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the lemon juice and nutmeg. Add a splash more stock or water if necessary to loosen the risotto. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the mint.
• Transfer the risotto to a serving bowl, top with mint leaves and serve with additional Parmesan.