Prep time:

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Total time:

Serves: 4

500g fresh asparagus

2 onions, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, crushed

300g Arborio risotto rice

150ml white wine

1.4ltr hot stock

100g frozen peas

200g frozen edamame beans

45g or 2tbsp grated Parmesan or Pecorino, plus extra for grating

Knob of butter

Fresh basil and mint leaves, roughly chopped

Simple and full of fresh spring flavours, I often make asparagus risotto but decided to bulk this one out with everything green I could lay my hands on. Method Snap off the woody ends from the asparagus and discard them. Chop the bases of the asparagus spears into ½cm slices, keeping the asparagus tips. Set … Continue reading "Feasts for Families :: Spring Risotto"

Simple and full of fresh spring flavours, I often make asparagus risotto but decided to bulk this one out with everything green I could lay my hands on.

Method

  1. Snap off the woody ends from the asparagus and discard them.
  2. Chop the bases of the asparagus spears into ½cm slices, keeping the asparagus tips. Set the tips aside.
  3. Colour the onion in a pan with some oil for 10 mins before adding the garlic and the chopped asparagus stems. Stir for 1 min, then add the Arborio rice.
  4. After 1 min add the wine and let it bubble.
  5. Add the stock one ladleful at a time until the rice is cooked (about 25-30 mins). The texture should be creamy.
  6. Stir through the asparagus spears, peas, cooked edamame beans and cheese. Add a knob of butter and put a lid on the pan for 5 mins.
  7. Season and serve with extra grated cheese and a drizzle of oil, plus the fresh mint and basil. 

You may also like

Savoury gingerbread & local Camembert (Winnie’s Wheel)

To make this canapé you can use shop-bought gingerbread, but I prefer something a bit more savoury.

Parma ham basket with labneh, truffle or herb oil & Jerusalem artichoke crisp

A complex canapé with multiple elements, but the wow factor lies in the surprisingly simple-to-make basket.

Chilli beef, mozzarella & chilli jam bruschetta

A super easy canapé that can be elevated with homemade bread and chutney or simplified using shop-bought ingredients. The flexibility makes it ideal for both casual gatherings and more polished events.