It is time, once again for Sunday Supper. This week we are having our Spring Fling and celebrating the rebirth that we see (or hope to see) all around us. I am in Michigan and we have some signs of spring here. The birds are out and about and the snow is mostly melted but the ponds are still frozen and nary a bud is yet on the trees or coming up out of the ground yet.
Our hosts this month are DB of Crazy Foodie Stunts and Valerie of Lifestyle Food Artistry. They chose the theme for this month and I am more than ready to start thinking about spring. Warmth, Sunshine, Blue Skies, Fresh Berries, Asparagus, Baby Peas, Crocus, Tulips and Daffodils.
To celebrate I decided to make a Spring Vegetable Risotto for dinner tonight. Risotto does take a little bit of time and attention but the sun is shining through the window, the aromas in the kitchen are making my mouth water and I can think of nothing else I would rather be doing on a laid back Sunday Afternoon.
I found this recipe in Lidia's Family Table by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich. For all you youngsters out there, Lidia is Joe Bastianich's (from Master Chef) Mom. She is more from my generation.
This is a lovely cookbook. It is like being in your grandmother's kitchen with her explaining exactly why you should follow each step in the preparation and what these steps do to make the final recipe a success. I did not include all of this information in the recipe I am sharing with you today but if you have a free Sunday and want to relax while thumbing through a cookbook this is a great choice.
This recipe incorporates tons of spring flavors!
Asparagus, spring onions, leeks and peas combine to make a perfect risotto.
All these beautiful vegetables get sauteed together in olive oil to be incorporated into the risotto as it cooks.
The risotto was creamy, rich and delicious.
A perfect spring meal for weather that has not quite caught up to the season.
Spring Vegetable Risotto
adapted from Lidia's Family Table
1 bunch asparagus, tough ends removed, cut into peas size pieces
1/4 c. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 leek, whites and light green parts, rinsed well, halved and thinly sliced
generous pinch of salt
1/4 t. crushed red pepper
1 (12 oz) pkg frozen peas, defrosted
2 scallions, finely chopped
1/3 c. water\
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7 c. boiling water, brought to a simmer
1/4 c. olive oil
1 lg. sweet onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
2 c. Arborio rice
1 c. white wine
2 T. butter, softened
Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
In a large heavy skillet with a lid, heat 1/4 c. olive oil over med high heat. Add the onion and leeks, season with salt and red pepper and cook until softened and fragrant. Add the peas, scallions and aparagus, stir to incorporate. Add 1/3 c. water, cover and cook, stirring occasionally for 30 minutes. You want a thick sauce with vegetables that retain their shape. Remove from heat and set aside.
Have 7 cups of simmering water on low setting on the range in near proximity to where you are making the risotto.
In a large pot (I used an enamled cast iron dutch oven) heat olive oil over med heat. Add onions and garlic. Season with a generous pinch of salt and cook slowly until the onions sweat, soften and turn golden (8-10 minutes) stirring frequently. Ladle 1/2 c. of the simmering water into the onions and continue to cook for another 10 minutes. The onions should be clear and glistening but the water should be all boiled away.
Add the rice, all at once. Raise the heat slightly and stir constantly for about 3 minutes until the rice is coated with oil and becoming translucent around the white center. Add the wine and cook until evaporated, stirring constantly. Ladle 2 c. of the simmering water into the rice and stir continuously until all the water is incorporated. Season the rice with salt and add the reserved vegetables along with another ladle of water and cook until all liquid is absorbed. Continue to cook and stir adding simmering water by ladlefuls until the risotto is at the tenderness desired.
To finish off the risotto, season with pepper, stir in the butter and the cheese and serve with extra cheese for topping. Print Recipe
Beverages
- Easter Egg Smoothie by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Home-made Limoncello by Manu's Menu
- Meyer Lemon Rosemary Martini by The Redhead Baker
- Asparagus and Roasted Garlic Hummus by Palatable Pastime
- Baked Lemon and Goat Cheese Dip by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Cauliflower Salad by Wallflour Girl
- Green Asparagus Soup with Seared Scallops by An Appealing Plan
- Panzanella Primavera by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Salmon Berry and Almond Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing by Family Foodie
- Skillet Spinach Artichoke Dip by Life Tastes Good
- Asparagus Gribiche by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Early Peas with Pearl Onions in Cream by Lifestyle Food Artistry
- Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Mustard Vinaigrette by Food Done Light
- Sauteed Artichokes & Potatoes by Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
- Spring Green Rice by Magnolia Days
- Artichoke Pesto Pasta by PancakeWarriors
- Crispy Honey Chicken Spring Salad by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Early Spring Risotto by Cooking Chat
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- Irish Lamb Stew by Food Lust People Love
- Perfect Scrambled Eggs with Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Chives by Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
- Quiche Florentine by Curious Cuisiniere
- Roasted Lamb Chops, Fontina Cheese Polenta with Asparagus and Mushrooms by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Root Vegetable Risotto by Momma's Meals
- Spring Lemon Pasta by MealDiva
- Spring Pea & Chèvre Souffle by FoodieTots
- Spring Vegetable Risotto by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Salmon and Strawberry Spinach Salad with a Kentucky Maple Vinaigrette by Dandelion Greens
- Tilapia with Classic Pesto by Whole Food | Real Families
- Veal Stew with Spring Greens by The Texan New Yorker
- Berry Shortcakes by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Blueberry Coconut Macaroons by Pies and Plots
- Blueberry Rhubarb Muffins by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Carrot Cake Cookies by Noshing With The Nolands
- Carrot Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Icing by Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Gluten Free Healthy Hummingbird Cake by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Lemon Cream Pie with Girl Scouts Lemonade Cookie Crust by Our Good Life
- Lemon Meringue Pie by Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Low-Fat Strawberry Muffins by Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Matcha Strawberry Cake by Brunch with Joy
- Palm Sunday Easter Bread by Love and Confections
- Pretzels, Peanut Butter, and Beer Cake Recipe by Recipe for Perfection
- Sticky Carrot Squares by What Smells So Good?
- Three Berry Coconut Crispies by Simply Healthy Family
I love the pop of green and the freshness of the spring veggies in this risotto.
ReplyDeleteThanks Renee and thanks for all your hard work each week
DeleteWhat a lovely spring risotto! Looks great
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather. It was delicious.
DeleteWendy, what a marvelous risotto for spring! What's not to love???
ReplyDeletePure love in every bite Liz and tonight......Risotto cakes made with the leftovers.
DeleteLove Lidia's recipes. This looks great!
ReplyDeleteMe too Sue and I am cooking another one of her recipes right this moment. Stay tuned.....
DeleteYou can't go wrong with Lidia Bastianich!
ReplyDeleteYou are soooooo right. As a matter of fact I am making her recipe for Braised Beef Rolls right this moment and I am going to serve it with Risotto Cakes using the leftover Risotto from this recipe.
DeleteGreat spring risotto, it is making me hungry!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara.
DeleteOh my oh my, so many ideas here! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling inspired Lily.
DeleteI love the combination of flavors, a sure fire way to enjoy the spring! Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Terri. Thanks for the kind words.
DeleteI love risotto so much. It was one of my daughter's first weaning foods. So easy to make and also so easy to personalize.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a weaning food.
DeleteI am so, so, so tempted right now. Absolutely the biggest fan of risotto and all its creamy glory--plus vegetables are the best way to celebrate spring. Love!! Happy Sunday, Wendy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ala and soon we will have a plethora of veggies to enjoy.
DeleteI love that you used leeks. This is going to be so delicious.
ReplyDeleteI love leeks too Christie.
DeleteI love everything in this risotto dish! Beautiful meal!
ReplyDeleteThank you Valerie
DeleteI can't believe I have never made risotto before!
ReplyDeleteIt is a little time consuming Cathleen but not difficult at all and the end result is well worth the time.
DeleteMmmmmmmmmm!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't have said it better myself Jennifer.
DeleteI LOVE risotto because there are so many different ways to make it! I love your version because I love leeks and scallions! Come on Spring!
ReplyDeleteVery easy dish to personalize or to use up those bits of leftovers in the fridge. Thanks Tammi.
DeleteRisotto is so versatile and I love the flavors you used in this one!
ReplyDeleteYes it is Carrie, thank you.
DeleteOhhh... I've been wanting to buy this cookbook, and now I'm even more inspired! Great recipe.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great cookbook and. if you are like me, makes a great read on a lazy afternoon.
DeleteI'm so glad leeks are back in season! This risotto dish looks wonderful!
ReplyDelete-Julie @ Texan New Yorker
Me too Julie!
DeleteA great dish to welcome spring!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindy....now all I need is for Spring to decide to arrive in Michigan LOL
DeleteFabulous collection of ingredients. I just love risotto, it's one of my favorite things to make, and you're right. It's so much better to do when the sun is coming through the kitchen window. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lauren.....
Delete