Pesto Risotto With Fall Greens Recipes

RISOTTO WITH PESTO AND PEAS

Steps:

• Make the broth: Bring 6 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes; remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Adjust the heat to keep the broth at a gentle simmer.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon butter in a wide saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the rice and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add the wine and cook, stirring, until almost evaporated, about 1 more minute.
• Add 2 cups of the hot leek broth to the rice; cook, stirring occasionally, until almost absorbed, about 6 minutes (adjust the heat to keep the risotto at a simmer). Add 1 more cup broth and cook, stirring, until almost absorbed, about 5 more minutes. Add the leeks, peas and 1 more cup broth and cook, stirring, until almost absorbed, about 5 more minutes. Taste the rice: If it is not fully cooked, add a little more broth and continue to cook, stirring, until al dente.
• Stir in the ham and remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Remove from the heat; stir in 2/3 cup pesto, the mozzarella and Parmesan. Season with salt. Divide among bowls and top with the remaining pesto.

PESTO RISOTTO

Steps:

• Add oil to a medium skillet. Add rice and toast until lightly golden brown about 2 minutes.
• Pour in wine and cook for 1-2 minutes or until most of the wine is absorbed.
• Pour in warm chicken broth 1/2 cup at a time until liquid is absorbed. (Keep chicken stock warm in a saucepan) Stir rice occasionally. Cook for 20-30 minutes or until all of the chicken stock is absorbed.
• Add in butter and stir until melted.
• Take off of heat and add in Parmesan cheese, lemon juice and pesto. Stir to combine and serve immediately.

PESTO WALNUT RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan. Add the onion and cook over low heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring, another 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring the stock to a boil in another saucepan. Reduce the heat and keep it at a simmer.
• Slowly add 1 cup of the hot stock to the rice, stirring constantly. Continue to stir, allowing the rice to simmer. When the stock has been absorbed, add 1/2 cup and allow it to simmer, stirring well until it has been absorbed. Continue adding the broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, until almost all the broth has been added.
• Add the pesto and continue cooking, adding the remaining broth in 1/4 cup amounts, stirring constantly, until the rice is slightly creamy and tender. Altogether, the rice should cook for about 25 to 30 minutes. When all the broth has been absorbed, stir in the Parmesan, walnuts, and black pepper. Serve immediatlely. Enjoy!
• Note:.
• You may substitute parsley pesto or some other pesto for the basil for a nice variation.

RISOTTO WITH HERB PESTO, POTATO, AND GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Pulse pine nuts, garlic, and herbs in a food processor until finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper; with motor running, stream in 1/3 cup oil until combined. Season to taste.
• Bring a pot of water to a boil and season with salt. Add green beans and cook until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer to a plate. Add potato to pot and simmer until tender but not falling apart, about 6 minutes; drain.
• In same pot, combine broth, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and maintain a bare simmer, partially covered (to avoid evaporation).
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium. Add onion and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until translucent and grains begin to make a popping sound, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in wine; cook until mostly evaporated, about 30 seconds.
• Ladle about 1 cup broth mixture into skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of broth has been absorbed and bottom of skillet stays visible for a second or two as you mix, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue ladling broth into skillet, about 1/2 cup at a time (or enough to just cover rice), stirring often and allowing rice to absorb most of broth before adding more, 15 to 20 minutes. When rice is cooked through but still al dente and sauce has thickened, stir in 1/2 cup pesto, green beans, and potato; cook just until heated through, about 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and add cheese, a good drizzle of oil, and a few spoonfuls of remaining broth. Stir vigorously to create a silky sauce. Check seasoning and stir in more pesto, if desired. Serve with a drizzle of oil, topped with more cheese and pepper.

BAKED RISOTTO WITH GREENS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Add rice, season with salt and pepper, and stir until coated in oil and lightly toasted, 2 minutes.
• Add kale, season with salt and pepper, and stir until wilted, 30 seconds. Add broth and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Cover and bake until almost all of the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Stir in spinach and peas until spinach is wilted. Add Parmesan, butter and lemon juice, and stir until well blended and saucy. (Liquid will continue to absorb as risotto sits.) Season with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls and top with more Parmesan.

VEGETABLE RISOTTO WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Begin by melting the butter in a large saucepan or wok.
• Add the onion and fry for a few minutes.
• Add the pepper to the onion and fry for another two or three minutes.
• Turn the heat down to medium-low.
• Add the rice and stir to coat.
• The rice grains should turn from cloudy to clear.
• Begin adding the bouillon, about 1/4 cup at a time.
• It's important to keep stirring, as the rice will absorb the liquid quickly and could burn if left unattended.
• After about 10 minutes, add the chopped tomato and the zucchini.
• After 20 minutes add the mushrooms.
• Continue to add bouillon when the rice has absorbed it.
• After about 25 minutes add the peas.
• The bouillon should be just about up by now.
• The rice usually takes about 25-30 minutes to finish cooking.
• To test for doneness, take a bite.
• It could be a bit chewy, but shouldn't be really hard.
• After the bouillon has been used up and the rice is done, stir in the pesto.
• Mix well.
• You can add salt and pepper to taste.
• Mixing in some extra grated parmesan makes the rice a bit creamier.
• Top with a bit of parmesan, if desired.
• Serve with a nice crusty bread.
• For Vegetarian use the Vegetable Stock.