Best Green Pea And Saffron Risotto Recipes

MUSHROOM AND PEA RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring regular and low-sodium vegetable broth to a slow boil in a medium pot over medium heat. Reduce heat slightly and keep warm.
• Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add cremini and shiitake mushrooms, fresh and dried thyme, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook and stir until mushrooms have released their liquid and caramelized a bit, about 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a plate and set aside.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and return to the heat to melt. Add Arborio rice and stir until rice gives off a toasty smell and appears a little paler in color, about 2 minutes. Add bay leaf, pour in wine, and stir until liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes.
• Use a ladle to scoop some hot broth into the skillet. Cook and stir until all liquid is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes, before adding another ladle of broth. Continue this process until risotto is just about finished, about 15 minutes. With the final ladle of broth, add frozen peas and return cooked vegetables to the pan.
• Remove from the heat once the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, yet firm to the bite. Stir in Pecorino Romano cheese and parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

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.

SAFFRON RISOTTO WITH SHRIMP AND PEAS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine broth, 2 cups water, lemon zest, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Meanwhile, heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium. Swirl in 2 tablespoons oil. Add onion, season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring, until translucent and grains begin to make a popping sound, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in wine and saffron; cook until wine is mostly evaporated, about 30 seconds.
• Ladle 1 cup broth mixture into skillet. Stir with a wooden spoon at a moderate speed until most of broth is absorbed and bottom of skillet stays visible for a second or two as you mix, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue ladling broth into skillet, about 1/2 cup at a time (or enough to just cover rice). Stir slowly but constantly, allowing rice to absorb most of broth before adding more. Risotto is ready when rice is al dente and broth has thickened to a rich sauce, 20 to 25 minutes. (You may not need to use all of broth.) Add shrimp and peas to skillet with last addition of broth; cook until shrimp are opaque, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove from heat. Stir in butter, lemon juice, and cheese; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with more cheese and pepper to serve. If the risotto becomes stiff before serving, stir in more hot broth, a little at a time, until it's loose and creamy.