Pesto Risotto 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.

RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS AND PESTO

Steps:

• Put well-seasoned stock or broth into a saucepan and bring it to a simmer over low heat, with a ladle nearby or in the pot.
• Heat olive oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy nonstick skillet or a wide, heavy saucepan. Add onion and a generous pinch of salt, and cook gently until it is just tender, about 3 minutes. Do not brown.
• Stir in rice and garlic and stir until the grains separate and begin to crackle. Add wine and stir until it is no longer visible in the pan. Begin adding simmering stock, a couple of ladlefuls (about 1/2 cup) at a time. The stock should just cover rice and should be bubbling, not too slowly but not too quickly. Cook, stirring often, until it is just about absorbed. Add another ladleful or two of the stock and continue to cook in this fashion, adding more stock and stirring when rice is almost dry. You do not have to stir continually, but stir often. After 10 minutes, add asparagus and continue to stir and add stock for another 10 to 15 minutes, until rice is cooked through but still al dente.
• Add another ladleful of stock to the rice. Stir in pesto and additional cheese and remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning. Mix should be creamy (add more stock if it isn't). Serve right away in wide soup bowls or on plates, spreading risotto in a thin layer rather than a mound.

PESTO RISOTTO WITH CANNELLINI BEANS, TOMATOES, AND POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, about 3 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Slowly pour in white wine. Cook, stirring frequently, until wine is absorbed.
• Add 1/2 cup broth, stirring frequently, until broth is absorbed. Working in batches, continue adding 1/2 cup broth at a time, stirring until all broth is absorbed. When done, rice should be tender and creamy. (Step 2 should take 20 to 25 minutes total.)
• Stir Parmesan cheese, pesto, 1/4 cup parsley, and 1 tablespoon vinegar into the risotto. Keep warm.
• Combine beans, tomatoes, and salt in a small saucepan. Cook, covered, over medium heat, until warmed through, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a 10-inch skillet, bring 4 cups water and the remaining vinegar to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer (bubbles should begin to break the surface of the water). Break an egg into a custard cup. Hold the lip of the cup close to water and slip egg into water. Repeat with remaining eggs. Simmer, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes or until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Use a slotted spoon to remove from skillet.
• Serve risotto topped with tomato-bean mixture, poached eggs, and remaining parsley. Sprinkle with pepper.