Spring Garden Vegetable Risotto

by Mary Papoulias-Platis

Post image for Spring Garden Vegetable Risotto

For a gardener like myself,  it’s sad to say goodbye to my tired Winter garden, but on the other hand, I’m eager to get my Spring garden designed and planted immediately. Fava beans are a priority to plant and are so easy to grow and make a nice cover crop for the next season. This Spring Garden Vegetable Risotto can be changed up with any seasonal vegetable you find at the farmer’s market or from your own garden. My fava beans and sugar snaps are still going strong, so I included them in this dish. Basically, food grown in the same season, can go together in a dish. If you’re not familiar with risotto, it is commonly used in Italian dishes. Risotto is an Italian technique for cooking Arborio, but this rich, creamy medium grain is versatile. It also plays well in crowd-pleasing puddings and appetizers. Most stores today carry this rice, but if you can’t find it, head over to Lungberg online and look for Organic Arborio.

My garden fava beans.

After shopping at the farmer’s market the early asparagus and leeks have arrived adding them to the dish too. You can switch out any of the vegetables in this dish but remember to cut them small so they slightly cook in the risotto. I added Myzithra cheese to mine for a Greek Twist but you can add the traditional grated Parmesan cheese.

Spring Risotto with Fava

 

Spring Garden Vegetable Risotto

A fresh Spring risotto with a variety of garden vegetables and grated cheese!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine California Greek
Keyword risotto, spring, vegetables
Servings 6
Author Mary Papoulias-Platis

Ingredients

  • 2 cups arborio rice
  • 4 cups broth, chicken or vegetable
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 2 shallots, diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped leeks
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 2 tsps. fresh
  • 1-2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup chopped asparagus, 1-inch long
  • 1/4 cup young fresh fava beans, shelled or frozen
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup sugar snap peas, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoon butter
  • 1/2 cup grated Myzithra or Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prep all the ingredients before you begin.
  2. Place the stock in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.
  3. In a 4 quart dutch oven or heavy large pot heat to medium and add olive oil.
  4. Add the shallots and leeks for a minute or two until softened.
  5. Add the rice and dill and continue stirring for 2-3 minutes until rice is coated.
  6. Add the wine and stir until all the wine has evaporated.
  7. Begin adding the broth one cup at a time, making sure all the broth has been incorporated before adding another.
  8. Before the last cup is added, add all the vegetables, salt and pepper.
  9. Continue with the last cup. Stirring constantly.
  10. Add the butter and turn off the heat. Add the grated cheese. Stir gently to mix.

  11. Taste and adjust before serving. Serve immediately.

You may also enjoy other Risotto Recipes!

Mushroom Risotto

Fresh Tomato Risotto

Avocado Risotto with Lime

I’m a big risotto fan,

Mary 

© 2013 – 2022, Mary Papoulias-Platis. All rights reserved.

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

1 Cathy @ She Paused 4 Thought

Oh that has the look of spring! Simply gorgeous.

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