Vegetable Garden Risotto Recipes

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.

VEGETABLE RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, saute onion and garlic in butter for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add the rice; cook and stir for 1 minute or until rice is glossy and coated with butter. Stir in wine; cook for 2 minutes or until wine is absorbed. , Stir in the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until rice is tender. Let stand, uncovered, for 10 minutes before serving.

GARDEN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a steamer basket; place in a small saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Set aside., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat broth and keep warm. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute onion in oil until tender. Add rice; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat; stir in the wine, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until all of the liquid is absorbed., Add heated broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly. Allow the liquid to absorb between additions. Cook just until risotto is creamy and rice is almost tender. (Cooking time is about 20 minutes.), Add the spinach, peas, cheese and reserved asparagus; cook and stir until heated through. Serve immediately.

FRESH VEGETABLE RISOTTO

Steps:

• In a large saucepan cook the mushrooms, onion, and garlic in hot oil till onion is tender but not brown.
• Stir in the rice- Cook and stir for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in another saucepan bring the vegetable or chicken broth to a boil; reduce heat and simmer.
• Slowly add 1 cup of the broth to the rice mixture, stirring constantly.
• Continue to cook and stir till liquid is absorbed.
• Add 1/2 cup broth and the asparagus or broccoli to the rice mixture, stirring constantly.
• Continue to cook and stir till liquid is absorbed.
• Add 1 cup more broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly till the broth has been absorbed.
• This should take about 15 minutes.
• Stir in tomato, carrot, and the remaining 1/2 cup broth.
• Cook and stir till rice is slighly creamy and just tender.
• Stir in fontina or Muenster cheese, Parmesan cheese, and basil or parsley.
• If desired, garnish with some tomato slices- Serve immediately.