Pea Vermouth Grain Risotto Recipes

PEA & VERMOUTH GRAIN 'RISOTTO'

Steps:

• Bring 1 litre/1¾ pints water and the bouillon powder to the boil in a large saucepan. Add the pouches of wheat grain, tamping them down into the liquid with a wooden spoon. Cover the pan and boil over a medium heat for 18 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt 50g/2oz of the butter in a medium-sized frying pan over a low-medium heat. Tip in the shallot, garlic and celery, and gently fry for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened a little but haven't coloured. Pour in the vermouth, turn up the heat and bubble until it has almost disappeared. Set the pan aside.
• Remove the pouches of wheat grain with a pair of tongs and leave them to drain. Tip the peas into the stock remaining in the saucepan and simmer them for 2 minutes or until hot. Drain off the stock, reserving it, and leave the peas in the pan.
• Cut open the pouches and tip the wheat grain into the peas, then scrape in the contents of the frying pan. Add the parmesan, parsley and the remaining butter, and season with plenty of black pepper - it's unlikely you'll need more salt. Return the saucepan to a low heat and stir thoroughly until the cheese has melted and the 'risotto' is a loose, creamy mass, adding a spoonful or two of the reserved stock if required. Serve immediately.

PRAWN AND PEA RISOTTO WITH BASIL AND MINT

Steps:

• Cook peas in boiling stock or water. Don't waste pods, you can place them in the stock after the peas are cooked to infuse their fantastic delicate flavor. Use this stock as part of the stock/water for the risotto. At the end of Stage 3 in the basic risotto recipe, add the prawns and peas and simmer for 1 minute as prawns take no time to cook. At Stage 4 of the risotto recipe throw in the fresh herbs and squeeze the lemon juice. Stir and serve immediately. Drizzle with good peppery olive oil.;
• Stage 1. Heat stock. In a separate pan heat the olive oil, add the shallots or onion, garlic and celery and slowly fry for about 3 minutes. When the vegetables have softened, add the rice, season with salt and pepper and turn up the heat. Stage 2. The rice will now begin to fry, so keep stirring it. After a minute it will look slightly translucent having absorbed all the flavors from the vegetables. Add the vermouth or wine and keep stirring -- it will smell fantastic as it sizzles around the rice. Any harsh alcohol flavors will evaporate and leave the rice with a tasty essence. Stage 3. Once the vermouth or wine has cooked into the rice, add your first ladle of hot stock and a good pinch of salt. Turn down the heat to a highish simmer so the rice doesn't cook too quickly on the outside. Keep adding ladles of stock, stirring and allowing each ladle of liquid to be absorbed before adding the next. This will take around 15 minutes. Taste the rice -- is it cooked? Carry on adding stock until the rice is soft but with a slight bite. Don't forget to carefully check the seasoning. Stage 4. Remove from the heat and add the butter and Parmesan, if using. Stir gently. Place lid on pan and allow to sit for 2 to 3 minutes. This is the most important part of making the risotto as this is when it becomes outrageously creamy and oozy like it should be. Eat as soon as possible while the risotto retains its perfect texture.
• Yield: 6 servings

EASY PRAWN RISOTTO WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Peel and devein the prawns than add to a medium mixing bowl.
• Add a tablespoon of olive oil then season with salt. Heat a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the prawns in batches and cook for a minute per side until the prawns are opaque, pink and just cooked. Remove and set aside.
• In the same pan, add a splash of olive oil then sauté the onion for a few minutes until soft and translucent.
• Add the garlic and cook for 30 minutes. Pour in the rice and stir.
• Pour in the white wine and allow to reduce.
• Turn the heat down and add a ladle of stock at a time, stirring regularly. Continue until the rice is cooked.
• Stir in the peas, butter and parmesan then season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add a generous squeeze of lemon juice.
• Return the shrimp to the pan, allowing to heat through for a minute then serve scattered with fresh chives.

MUSHROOM AND PEA RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring regular and low-sodium vegetable broth to a slow boil in a medium pot over medium heat. Reduce heat slightly and keep warm.
• Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add cremini and shiitake mushrooms, fresh and dried thyme, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook and stir until mushrooms have released their liquid and caramelized a bit, about 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a plate and set aside.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and return to the heat to melt. Add Arborio rice and stir until rice gives off a toasty smell and appears a little paler in color, about 2 minutes. Add bay leaf, pour in wine, and stir until liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes.
• Use a ladle to scoop some hot broth into the skillet. Cook and stir until all liquid is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes, before adding another ladle of broth. Continue this process until risotto is just about finished, about 15 minutes. With the final ladle of broth, add frozen peas and return cooked vegetables to the pan.
• Remove from the heat once the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, yet firm to the bite. Stir in Pecorino Romano cheese and parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.