Asparagus Lemon Risotto Recipes

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or medium Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the leeks and season with the salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and stir to incorporate. Stir in the rice and let it cook for 1 minute. Stir in the wine and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until the wine cooks down.
• Add the broth, ¾ cup at a time, stirring continuously between each addition. Allow each addition of broth to be absorbed by the rice before adding the next. Add the asparagus with the last addition of the broth. Cook until the rice is al dente. The risotto should be soft and creamy.
• Add the lemon juice, chives, and mixed herbs and season to taste. Garnish with the lemon zest and more herbs. Serve with grated cheese, if desired.

LEMON ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• For the asparagus: Cut off the asparagus tops and reserve. Chop the stems into pieces, discarding the woody bits. (If the stems are really thick and tough looking, peel them first.) Heat the oil and butter in a saute pan. Add the stem pieces and cook 5 minutes. Add the garlic and then the asparagus tips. Pour over 1/4 cup/60 ml water, season with salt and pepper and cook until tender, 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the asparagus. (If you like, you can add a sprig of fresh rosemary to the dish with the garlic and asparagus tips, then remove it at the end)
• For the risotto: On a separate burner, in a pot, bring the chicken stock to a simmer. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a saucepan and cook the onions and shallots until soft, stirring with a wooden spoon. Add the rice and stir until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the wine and reduce until almost dry. Add a ladle of stock and cook, stirring, until it disappears. Continue one ladle at a time, until the rice is tender and creamy, about 30 minutes. To serve: Remove from the heat and stir through the asparagus, remaining tablespoon of butter, lemon zest and half the cheese. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Spoon the risotto into bowls and scatter over the remaining cheese.

ASPARAGUS-AND-LEMON RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat in another saucepan. Cook onion, stirring frequently, until soft, 6 to 7 minutes. Add rice, cook, stirring, until edges are translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine; cook, stirring, just until evaporated.
• Add 1/2 cup hot stock; cook, stirring, until almost absorbed. Continue adding 1/2 cup stock in this manner until liquid is creamy and rice is al dente, about 20 minutes total (you may not need to add all the stock). Add asparagus with the last addition of stock, and the peas about 1 minute before risotto is done.
• Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest and juice, parsley, cheese, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional cheese and lemon zest.

ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Snap the woody ends off the asparagus stalks and tip them into a saucepan with the stock. Put on a low heat to very gently simmer. Meanwhile, cut off the tips of the asparagus, add to the stock for exactly 1 min. Scoop out with a slotted spoon and set aside. Finely slice the rest of the stalks into rounds.
• Heat the oil and half the butter in a heavy, wide pan. Cook the onions gently for 5 mins until soft, stirring often. Add the chopped asparagus stalks and cook for 2 mins more. Add the rice and continously stir for a few minutes until it turns semi-transparent and makes a hissing sound.
• Stir in the wine, if using - it will evaporate almost immediately. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring between each addition until it is absorbed, about 15 mins.
• Try the rice - it should feel just cooked with a slight bite to it. Stir in the asparagus tips and any last dregs of stock and cook for 1 or 2 mins more. Remove from the heat and top with the remaining butter and most of the parmesan. Season generously, cover and leave for a few minutes to settle.
• Give the risotto a thorough stir to incorporate the butter and cheese and serve straight away with the remaining parmesan for sprinkling over.