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Risotto with Peas, Mint & Lemon Recipe

Risotto with Peas, Mint & Lemon

Serves four as a main dish or six as a side dish.

5 to 6 cups homemade or low-salt chicken broth
4 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
Kosher salt
2 cups arborio rice (or other risotto rice)
1/2 cup dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio)
2 cups frozen peas
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs. finely grated lemon zest
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano; more for serving

Heat the chicken broth in a saucepan over medium-high heat until very hot and then reduce the heat to keep the broth hot. In another wide, heavy saucepan, melt 2 Tbs. of the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and a generous pinch of salt and sauté, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until the onion softens and starts to turn lightly golden, 3 to 5 min. Add the rice and stir until the grains are well coated with butter and the edges become translucent, 1 to 2 min. Pour in the wine and stir until it’s absorbed, about 1 min. Add another generous pinch of salt and ladle enough of the hot broth into the pan to barely cover the rice, about 1 cup. Bring to a boil and then adjust the heat to maintain a lively simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the broth has been mostly absorbed, 2 to 3 min. Continue adding broth in 1/2-cup increments, stirring and simmering, until it has been absorbed each time, at intervals of about 2 to 3 min.

After about 16 to 18 min., the rice should be creamy but still fairly firm. At this point, add the peas and another 1/2 cup broth. Continue to simmer and stir until the peas are just cooked and the rice is just tender to the tooth, another 3 to 4 min. Stir in another splash of broth if the risotto is too thick. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the mint, lemon juice, lemon zest, the remaining 2 Tbs. butter, and the Parmigiano. Season with salt to taste. Serve the risotto immediately with a sprinkling of Parmigiano.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : based on six servings; Calories (kcal): 270; Fat (g): 10; Fat Calories (kcal): 90; Saturated Fat (g): 6; Protein (g): 9; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 3; Carbohydrates (g): 31; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 1; Sodium (mg): 520; Cholesterol (mg): 25; Fiber (g): 3;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 64 , pp. 86c
May 1, 2004


user reviews

Star Star Star Star Star Love this. Perfect side dish for the first warm days of spring! Followed recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly.
Star Star Star Star Star I have made this recipe several times, and it quickly became one of my family's favorites! It's a delicious mix of light flavors and textures. We enjoy it most with grilled shrimp or chicken. (Also, this was my first attempt at making risotto, and I must say the step-by-step instructions were perfect!)