Minted Asparagus and Pea Risotto
By: Anonymous
Published: Sunday, December 13, 2009 - 1:25am

Ingredients




3 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1½ cups arborio rice
1 qt chicken stock
½ cup white wine
1 pound asparagus
3/4 pounds fresh peas
1 handful fresh mint picked, finely chopped
1 handful grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1 Heat the stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan, then lower the heat so that the stock just stays hot. 2 In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the oil and 1 Tbsp of the butter over medium heat. When the butter has melted, add the rice to the pot and stir it briskly with a wooden spoon so that the grains are coated with the oil and melted butter. Sauté for another minute or so, until there is a slightly nutty aroma. But don't let the rice turn brown. Add the wine and cook while stirring, until the liquid is fully absorbed. Add a ladle of hot chicken stock to the rice and stir until the liquid is fully absorbed. When the rice appears almost dry, add another ladle of stock and repeat the process. 3 Continue adding ladles of hot stock and stirring the rice while the liquid is absorbed. As it cooks, you'll see that the rice will take on a creamy consistency as it begins to release its natural starches. Continue adding stock, a ladle at a time, for 20-30 minutes or until the grains are tender but still firm to the bite, without being crunchy. If you run out of stock and the risotto still isn't done, you can finish the cooking using hot water. Just add the water as you did with the stock, a ladle at a time, stirring while it's absorbed. 4 While risotto is cooking, bring a medium pot of water to boil. Blanch the asparagus and peas; about 2 minutes. Drain and set aside. 5 When risotto is finished cooking, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add in the asparagus, mint, and the Parmesan cheese and season to taste with Kosher salt. 6 Serve immediately.