Best Bean Risotto Recipes

FRESH FAVA BEAN AND SHRIMP RISOTTO

Steps:

• Prepare the fava beans, and set aside.
• Shell the shrimp and de-vein if necessary. Retain the shells. Salt the shrimp lightly, and set aside in a bowl (in the refrigerator, if you won't be making and serving the risotto right away). Rinse the shells, and combine them with five cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, skim off foam, reduce the heat to low and simmer partially covered for 30 minutes. Strain and add to the chicken stock or water. Taste and add enough salt to make a well-seasoned broth. Bring to a simmer in a saucepan.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a large nonstick frying pan or a large, wide saucepan. Add the onion (or leek). Cook, stirring, until it softens, three to five minutes. Add the rice and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until the grains of rice are separate and beginning to crackle.
• Stir in the wine, and cook, stirring, over medium heat. The wine should bubble but not too quickly. When it has just about evaporated, stir in a ladleful or two of the simmering stock, just enough to cover the rice. The stock should bubble slowly. Cook, stirring often, until it is almost absorbed. Add another couple of ladles of the stock. Continue to cook for 20 minutes, stirring not too fast and not too slowly, and adding more stock whenever the rice is almost dry.
• Taste a bit of the rice. It should be slightly al dente. Stir in more stock to cover, and add the favas and the shrimp. Cook, stirring, for another five to 10 minutes until the shrimp are pink and cooked through but still moist (this will depend on the size of the shrimp) and the favas are bright. Stir in the parsley and another small ladle of stock. Remove from the heat, add pepper, stir for a few seconds and serve.

BLACK BEAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Add 1/2 the olive oil to a saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, jalapenos and onions and saute for about 3 to 4 minutes, do not brown. Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, beans and tomatoes and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until all ingredients are warm, then set aside.
• Add the other 1/2 of the olive oil to a sauce pot and saute the rice until warm, about 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer the rice to the inner cooking pan of the RIZO Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer and place inside the cooker. Pour the heated chicken stock over the rice and then place the sauteed ingredients on top of the rice. Close the lid and press the risotto button to start. When the rice is finished it will automatically switch to warm mode. Press the RESET button. Add the salt, pepper, butter and cheese, mix all and serve immediately. Garnish with cilantro, scallion flowers and maduros.

COURGETTE & BROAD BEAN RISOTTO WITH BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• To make the pesto, crush the garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt using a pestle and mortar. Add the pine nuts and pound to a coarse paste, then tear in the basil and mint, pounding again until they've broken down. Stir in the oil and cheese, then taste for seasoning - add more cheese if you like.
• Heat the oil and butter in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the courgettes, sprinkle in the chilli flakes and nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper. Fry for 3-5 mins until the courgettes are golden and softened. Add the spring onions and lemon zest, and stir for a minute or two. Tip in the rice and stir to coat in the oil until translucent, about 2 mins.
• Pour in the wine, then cook for a couple of minutes until it's mostly evaporated. Add a ladleful of the stock and stir for a few minutes until it's absorbed. Continue adding a ladleful at a time for 20-30 mins, stirring continually, until all of the stock is absorbed.
• Stir in the blanched broad beans and flowers, if using, and warm through for 2 mins. Remove from the heat and stir through the parmesan. Allow to sit for about 5 mins, then swirl through half of the pesto. Any remaining pesto will keep chilled for up to two days.
• Divide the risotto between bowls and scatter with the extra basil leaves, extra cheese and another spoonful of the pesto, if you like.

BARLEY & BROAD BEAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion along with a pinch of salt and gently fry for 8-10 mins or until softened. Stir through the garlic and cook for 1 min. Tip in the pearl barley and 600ml of the stock. Bring to the boil, lower to a simmer and cook for 35 mins, stirring regularly, until nearly all the liquid has been absorbed and the pearl barley is tender. Add the remaining stock, a splash at a time, to loosen if it looks too thick.
• Roughly chop half of the podded broad beans (or pulse a few times in a food processor), keeping the rest whole. Stir all the broad beans into the risotto along with the lemon zest, mint, ricotta, basil and parmesan (with a splash more stock or water if it looks dry). Season, then serve in bowls with extra mint and parmesan scattered over.

ITALIAN BLACK BEAN & ZUCCHINI RISOTTO

Steps:

• In large deep skillet over medium heat, heat oil.
• Add rice; stir to coat with oil.
• Stir in 4 cups water and salt; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat; cover and simmer about 15 to 18 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Stir black beans, zucchini, salsa, 1 cup cheese and cilantro into rice mixture.
• Cover; cook about 8 minutes, until zucchini is tender.
• Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
• Remove from heat, cover and let stand 4 minutes, until cheese is melted.
• Serve with sour cream and green onions.

KIDNEY BEAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat half the oil in a large, heavy-bottom pan. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until softened. Add half the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes; then add the rice and stir for 1 minute, or until the grains are thoroughly coated with the oil.
• Add the stock and a pinch of the salt and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for 35-40 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a heavy-bottom skillet. Add the red bell pepper and celery and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and the remaining garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes.
• Stir the rice into the skillet. Add the beans, parsley and cashews. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until hot. Transfer to a warmed serving dish, sprinkle with extra parsley and serve at once.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE & MIXED RED BEAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• For the sautéed beans 1. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet. Add beans, pinch of salt, pepper & savoury spice, minced garlic and stir over high heat. Add white wine and stir for 1 minute. 2. Remove from heat and set aside uncovered. For the risotto 1. In, preferably, a "non-stick" soup or risotto pot warm olive oil over medium heat 2. Add onion and sausage and sauté until the sausage is thoroughly cooked (approx 8-1omin) 3. Add strained tomato and stir 4. Add rice and sauté for approx 3 minutes, stirring frequently 5. Deglaze by adding white wine and stir well, scraping any browned sausage bits from bottom of the pan 6. Add sautéed beans and ½ to 1 cup of stock (enough to just cover rice mixture) 7. Stir carefully to ensure beans are not mashed 8. Once liquid is absorbed, continue to add more stock in 1/2cup to 1 cup increments & carefully stir until rice is fully cooked but still al dente (approx 15 min) * note you may not have to use all 4 cups of stock 9. Remove pot from heat and stir in the butter and grated cheese 10. Season with salt & pepper to taste 11. Let rest, uncovered, for a few minutes prior to serving

FENNEL AND BROAD BEAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Soak the rice for about 2 minutes and then rinse.
• Heat the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat and gently fry the onion until soft.
• Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the fennel.
• Add the rice and stir to coat all the grains with oil.
• Turn up the heat and add the wine stirring until absorbed.
• Add the broadbeans.
• Reduce the heat and add the stock a ladle at a time stirring each time until it has been absorbed.
• This should take about 15 or 20 minutes.
• Add the parsley and chives and stir.
• Remove from the heat and add the butter and season.
• Stir well.
• Add parmesan after serving.

PEA, BROAD BEAN & ROCKET RISOTTO WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• To make the base, bring the stock to the boil, then add the pea pods and asparagus ends. Simmer for 2 mins, then add the parsley stalks and take off the heat. Use a powerful stick blender to blitz everything to make a green stock, then pass through a sieve into a jug. Set aside.
• Heat 2 tbsp of the oil and half the butter in a heavy, wide pan. Tip in the onion and sizzle gently for 5 mins until soft. Turn up the heat slightly, tip in the rice and stir for a few mins. Pour in the wine and cook down until it has been absorbed into the rice.
• Add ladles of stock to the rice, stirring, adding another ladleful after it's been absorbed. Once the rice is starting to soften but is still chalky (about 20 mins), stir in the peas and asparagus. Keep adding stock until it's all been used and the rice is just cooked, then stir through the broad beans.
• While the rice is cooking, heat the remaining oil in a frying pan. Season the chicken and pan-fry for 3-4 mins each side until lightly browned and just cooked through. Turn the heat off but leave the chicken in the pan to keep warm.
• Once the risotto is cooked, take off the heat and scatter over the parmesan, the rest of the butter and the parsley leaves. Cover the pan and leave to sit for a few mins. Carve the chicken into thick slices, give the risotto a good stir, season well and scatter over the rocket. Serve the risotto topped with the sliced chicken.

BACON AND GREEN BEAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Fry finely chopped onions and bacon until the onions are translucent. This should be around ten minutes.
• Add risotto rice and take off the heat to stir. Add the wine now if chosen to use. Cook through for three minutes.
• Add stock gradually. I started with the vegetable, added the green beans then the chicken stock. You should add stock when there is barely any liquid in the pan.
• Once the rice is cooked it's ready to serve. Top with parmesan if you like.

CALIFORNIA SEA BASS WITH SHELL BEAN RISOTTO AND GREMOLATA BUTTER

Steps:

• Season the fish with the thyme, half the lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
• To make the gremolata butter, mince the remaining lemon zest and combine with the minced garlic and remaining 6 tablespoons chopped parsley on a cutting board. Chop the mixture together until very fine. Scrape the gremolata into a small bowl and mash together with 6 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Season with a heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt and some pepper.
• Heat a large sauté pan over high heat for 2 minutes. (Depending on the size of your pan, you may need to cook the fish in batches.) Season the fish with salt and pepper on both sides. Swirl in the olive oil and wait 1 minute. Carefully lay the fish in the pan, skin side down, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until the skin is crisp. Turn the fish over, lower the heat to medium-low, and cook a few more minutes, until it's almost cooked through. When it's done, the fish will begin to flake and separate a little and the center will still be slightly translucent. Remember, the fish will continue to cook a little more once you take it out of the pan.
• Spoon the hot risotto onto a large platter. Arrange the fish on top, and smear each fillet with some of the gremolata butter. Squeeze lemon juice over the fish and risotto, and scatter the whole parsley leaves on top.
• Bring the chicken stock and 3 1/2 cups water to a boil over high heat. Then turn off the heat.
• Heat a medium pot over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Swirl in 3 tablespoons butter, and when it foams, add the onion, thyme, chile, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few grindings of black pepper. Sauté about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the onion is translucent. Stir in the rice, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and a pinch of pepper. Cook 2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the rice just begins to toast and the grains of rice have a white dot at their center.
• Pour in the white wine, and once it has evaporated, quickly add 1 cup of the hot stock, stirring continuously. When the stock is completely absorbed, begin adding the liquid in 1-cup batches, stirring all the time with a wooden spoon in a rhythmic back-and-forth motion. Wait for each batch of liquid to be absorbed before adding the next. The rice should be bubbling and quickly absorbing the stock. After about 15 minutes, taste the rice for doneness. It should be slightly but not too al dente. The risotto may need more liquid and more time, so keep cooking until it's done. It should be neither soupy nor dry; each grain of rice should be coated in a flavorful, starchy "sauce."
• When the rice is almost done, turn off the heat and stir in the shell beans. Let the risotto "rest" for a minute or two and then quickly stir in the remaining tablespoon butter, the spinach, parsley, and basil. Taste for seasoning. The rice will keep absorbing liquid so add a little more stock if it seems dry.
• Season the fish with the lemon zest and herbs in the morning. You can cook the shell beans ahead of time, but the risotto must be cooked "to order." To time this well, start cooking the fish when the risotto is just about done. (The risotto can "rest" for a moment while you pull everything together.)

PRACTICALLY NONFAT BEAN AND GREEN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring broth and wine to boil in heavy large saucepan. Add onion, leek, rice and garlic and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until rice is tender and mixture is thick and creamy, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Mix beans, radicchio and arugula into rice and cook until vegetables wilt, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve, passing Parmesan separately if desired.

BROAD BEAN , BACON, PARMESAN AND SAGE RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring stock and wine to a boil in medium saucepan; reduce heat, cover, keep hot.
• Heat oil in large saucepan; cook onion and garlic, stirring, until onion is soft.
• Add rice, stir to coat in oil mixture.
• Stir in 1 cup of the stock mixture; cook over low heat, stirring, until liquid is absorbed.
• Continue adding stock mixture, in 1-cup batches, stirring, until absorbed after each addition.
• Total cooking time should be about 35 minutes or until rice is just tender.
• Meanwhile, cook bacon under heated grill until browned and crisp on both sides.
• Remove pan from heat, stir in cream, grated cheese, beans and sage; stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Serve topped with bacon and flaked cheese.

BUTTER BEAN RISOTTO WITH CHARD AND FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• For fried okra:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place okra in small bowl; pour buttermilk over. Let stand 15 minutes. Drain off buttermilk.
• Place cornmeal in medium bowl. Mix in salt and pepper. Add okra; toss to coat.
• Heat oil in small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add okra; sauté until brown on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer to baking sheet. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm in 375°F oven 5 minutes before using.
• For risotto:
• Heat oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add chard and toss until wilted and tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Bring broth to simmer in large saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to very low and keep broth warm.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until soft but not brown, about 2 minutes. Add rice; stir to coat well, about 3 minutes. Add wine; simmer until wine evaporates, stirring constantly, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup broth. Simmer until absorbed, stirring almost constantly, about 2 minutes. Continue to add broth, 1/2 cup at a time, simmering until broth is absorbed each time and rice is creamy and just tender, stirring almost constantly, about 18 minutes longer. Mix in chard, then beans, 1 tablespoon Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon butter. Season risotto with salt and pepper.
• Divide risotto among bowls; sprinkle with okra. Pass more Parmesan alongside.

FAVA BEAN AND BACON RISOTTO

Steps:

• Cook the fava beans in a saucepan of lightly salted boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Drain and plunge into ice-cold water to cool. Peel away and discard the outer shells and set the beans aside.
• Heat the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the onion and bacon and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Add the rice and beans and continue to cook, stirring for 1-2 minutes.
• Add enough hot stock to cover the rice and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until most of the stock has been absorbed. Continue adding the stock in this way until it is almost completely absorbed and rice is tender.
• Remove from the heat, stir in the grated Parmesan, and season to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan shavings.

CHORIZO & BROAD BEAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium-sized pan, then add the bacon, shallots, garlic and chorizo. Gently cook for 8 mins, stirring occasionally so everything cooks evenly.
• Stir in the rice, coating all over with the cooking juices in the pan. Add just enough stock to cover the rice, bring to a simmer and gently cook until all the liquid is absorbed. Continue adding the stock a ladleful at a time, and gently cook. Just before the final ladleful of stock, add the broad beans and stir through, cooking for 3-4 mins until tender. Remove the chorizo, slice thinly, return to the pan and mix through before serving.

FAVA BEAN AND ASPARAGUS RISOTTO

Steps:

• Prepare Fava Beans Remove outer husks of fava beans and set beans in a bowl Boil a small pot of water and blanch beans (about 1 minute) Plunge into a bowl of ice water to cool. Remove inner shell, leaving only the green inner beans. Set aside. Prepare Asparagus Remove tough bottoms of asparagus, rinse, and set aside. In same water that you blanched the fava beans, blanch the asparagus. Plunge into a bowl of ice water to cool. Set aside. Prepare Risotto Heat 2TBS butter and a drop of oil over medium-high heat. Cool shallots, about 10 minutes or until translucent and soft. Add rice, stirring to coat with butter. Add white pepper and salt. Start adding stock and wine by the half cup, stirring constantly to absorb each addition before adding the next. (total cooking time will be about 20 minutes) After about 15 minutes, add yellow pepper. Continue adding stock and wine as needed. After about 20 minutes, add the fava beans and asparagus. When risotto is near finished, add the lemon juice, feta and remaining butter. Stir to combine. Add more salt/white pepper to taste, and half the sorrel and chives. Garnish plates with remaining sorrel, chives, and feta.

MUNG BEAN AND BABY BASMATI RISOTTO FLAVORED WITH GREEN CARDOMOM, WILD MUSHROOMS AND SHAHI JEERA

Steps:

• Wash the baby basmati rice very well and drain. Do not soak. In a separate bowl, wash and pick through the mung beans, and soak for one hour in warm water. Heat the oil and add 4 of the green cardamom pods and clove. Next, add the shallots and sweat. Add the basmati and sweat. While stirring, add the vegetable stock a little at a time. Season with salt, pepper and cardamom and continue to cook until rice is al dente (adding stock as needed). Finish with a tablespoon of butter. In a small pot, add mung beans, ginger, garlic and shallot piquet and cover with the vegetable stock. Cook until tender, then add the salt. Pull out the spices and the piquet. Add the mung beans with stock to the rice. Adjust seasoning. Put small mound of rice in a bowl and top with wild mushroom fricassee
• To a heated saute pan, add oil and shahi jeera until fragrant. Add the mushrooms and saute very quickly until golden brown. Add the minced shallots and sweat. Season with salt and pepper. Add the tarragon. Remove from heat and top with the chervil.

BROAD BEAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Fill a saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the broad beans and return to the boil. Cook for one minute then drain in a colander under running water until cold. Remove the beans from their skins and set aside. Mix the mint with two tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside.
• Melt 25g/1oz of the butter with the remaining oil in a large non-stick saucepan and fry the onion and garlic for five minutes until softened, but not coloured. Stir in the thyme, lemon zest, bay leaf and risotto rice and cook for a few seconds more until the rice is glistening
• Pour the wine in to the pan and boil over a medium heat until the liquid has reduced by half. Slowly start adding the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring well between each addition. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the liquid has almost all been absorbed before adding more. Cook for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender.
• Meanwhile, fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Cook the runner beans for three minutes, or until tender. Drain in a colander then return to the pan and toss with a small knob of the remaining butter and plenty of ground black pepper.
• Remove the thyme and lemon zest from the rice and discard. Stir in the broad beans, peas and asparagus with the remaining stock and cook for three minutes until tender, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat and stir in the feta. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover with a lid and set aside
• Add the remaining butter to the risotto and stir. Spoon into four deep plates and tap gently on the work surface to spread the risotto slightly. Spoon over the minted olive oil. Top with the runner beans and shavings of fresh parmesan and serve immediately

BEAN RISOTTO

Steps:

• Fry onion and garlic in a little oil until soft
• Add risotto rice and beans, plus veg stock
• Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer until rice is cooked
• Add more stock if needed
• Stir in Parmesan
• Serve with a leafy salad