Spring Green Risotto

Ina Garten

2008, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, All Rights Reserved

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Impromptu Dinner

Picture of Spring Green Risotto Recipe 1 Video | Photo: Spring Green Risotto Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 127 Reviews
Total Time:
47 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
27 min
Yield:
4 servings for dinner, 6 servings for appetizer
Level:
Easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 leeks)
  • 1 cup chopped fennel
  • 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
  • 2/3 cup dry white wine
  • 4 to 5 cups simmering chicken stock, preferably homemade
  • 1 pound thin asparagus
  • 10 ounces frozen peas, defrosted, or 1 1/2 cups shelled fresh peas
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese, preferably Italian
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh chives, plus extra for serving

Directions

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.

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Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Rich, buttery white wine

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 127 reviews

  • on April 30, 2012

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    This dish reminds you of everything spring stands for. It is soooo yummy. You have to make yourself stop eating it. It is delicious!!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on April 26, 2012

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    Easy dish if you plan ahead. It takes a little while to make but it is well worth it. To anyone who is weary of using fennel, it's very very mild when cooked so try it. Also, I took others advice and only used zest of one lemon. I omitted the mascapone cheese and wine and it was still very very tasty. I will definitely make again.

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  • on April 12, 2012

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    Awesome! I don't like fennel, so I add extra leeks and asparagus to make up for it. It's so good.
    I've been making this for years and the whole family loves it. :

    Note: since I wrote this review, I've tried fennel. It's awesome! Cooked fennel is mild and loses all of the licorice flavor and aroma. So glad I took a chance with it!

    people found this review Helpful.
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Next Recipe

Spring Green Risotto

Spring Green Risotto

By: Ina Garten
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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