Description
Creamy spring pea & asparagus risotto brings Italian comfort to your table with fresh seasonal vegetables. Herbaceous and light, this dish delivers pure springtime elegance you’ll savor with each delightful spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 2 cups fresh green peas
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons, 30 milliliters)
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of vegetable broth, heating it to a gentle simmer over medium heat and maintaining its warmth throughout the cooking process.
- In a spacious skillet, transform chopped onions and minced garlic into a translucent, fragrant base by sautéing them in olive oil until softened.
- Introduce Arborio rice to the skillet, allowing it to toast and develop a nutty aroma for approximately 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Incrementally ladle the warm broth into the rice, stirring methodically to encourage gradual absorption and create a creamy consistency. This process will take around 18-20 minutes.
- When rice is nearly tender, gently incorporate fresh peas and tender asparagus pieces, letting them cook and integrate with the risotto for an additional 5 minutes.
- Finish the dish by folding in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavors.
- Transfer the risotto to warm serving plates immediately, ensuring the creamy texture is preserved and enjoyed at its peak temperature.
Notes
- Achieve creamy risotto by stirring consistently, allowing rice to release natural starches while preventing sticking.
- Swap Arborio rice with other short-grain varieties like Carnaroli or Vialone Nano for similar texture and absorption qualities.
- Keep vegetable broth warm throughout cooking to maintain consistent temperature and prevent rice from cooling down during liquid additions.
- For a lighter version, reduce Parmesan cheese quantity or use nutritional yeast as a dairy-free alternative that provides similar umami flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg