BIBA'S ASPARAGUS, ARTICHOKE, AND PEA RISOTTO

Biba's Asparagus, Artichoke, and Pea Risotto image

The arrival of spring heralds the appearance of some of the best-tasting vegetables. This risotto recipe, created by chef Biba Caggiano, of the Biba restaurant in Sacramento, California, and featured on Martha Stewart Living Television, calls for a flavorful selection of fresh asparagus, peas, and artichokes.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains Rice Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 10

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Ingredients

Coarse salt
1/4 pound asparagus tips (from about 1 pound asparagus)
1/2 cup fresh shelled green peas or 1 cup frozen small peas, thawed
6 cups Homemade Chicken Stock
1/2 pound baby artichokes, cleaned, cooked, and cut into wedges
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup minced yellow onion
2 cups imported Italian arborio rice
1 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for serving

Steps:

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Add salt. Add the asparagus tips, and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, 1 to 2 minutes, depending on size. Drain asparagus, and set aside.
If using fresh peas, bring another small saucepan of water to a boil. Add salt and peas, and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, 5 to 10 minutes, depending on size. Drain peas and set aside. (Asparagus and peas may be cooked several hours ahead.)
Heat the stock in a medium saucepan, and keep warm over low heat.
Heat 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When the butter foams, add the onion, and cook, stirring, until onion begins to color, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the rice, and stir until it is well coated with the butter and onion, about 1 minute. Add the wine, and stir until it is almost all reduced. Add about 1/2 cup of the hot stock, or just enough to barely cover the rice. Cook, stirring, until the stock has been almost completely absorbed. Continue cooking and stirring the rice in this manner, adding 1/2 cup stock at a time, for about 15 minutes. At this point, the rice should be tender but still a bit firm to the bite.
Stir the artichokes, asparagus, and peas into the rice, and season lightly with salt. Add the remaining tablespoon butter and the cheese. Mix quickly for 1 to 2 minutes until the butter and the cheese have melted and the rice has a moist, creamy consistency. Taste, and adjust the seasoning; serve immediately with additional cheese sprinkled on top, if desired.