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SPRING VEGETABLE RISOTTO
Published May 1, 2008. From Cook's Illustrated.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
For a flavorful spring vegetable risotto recipe, we simmered the trimmings from leeks and other vegetables in chicken broth before stirring the broth into the rice.
SERVES 4 AS A MAIN COURSE OR 6 AS A FIRST COURSE
To make this dish vegetarian, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth; the test kitchen’s favorite brand is Swanson Vegetarian Vegetable Broth (see related tasting). Onions can be substituted for the leeks. If substituting onions, use 1 roughly chopped medium onion (1 cup) in the broth and 2 minced medium onions (2 cups) in the risotto. At the end of cooking, you may have up to a cup of broth left over.
INGREDIENTS
- Gremolata
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves , stems reserved
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves , stems reserved
- 1/2 teaspoon finely grated zest from 1 lemon
- Risotto
- 1 pound asparagus , tough ends snapped off and reserved, spears cut on bias into 1/2-inch thick pieces
- 2 medium leeks , white and light green parts halved lengthwise, washed, and sliced thin (about 4 cups), 2 cups roughly chopped greens reserved (see note)
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth (see note)
- 3 cups water
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 medium garlic cloves , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 2 teaspoons)
- 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice (see note)
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 1/2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 3/4 cup), plus extra for serving
- 2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon
INSTRUCTIONS
For the Gremolata: Combine ingredients in small bowl and set aside.
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For the Risotto: Chop tough asparagus ends and leek greens into rough 1/2-inch pieces. Bring chopped vegetables, reserved parsley and mint stems, broth, and water to boil in large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover, and simmer 20 minutes. Strain broth through fine-mesh strainer into medium bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Return strained broth to saucepan; cover and set over low heat to keep broth warm.
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Heat 1 tablespoon butter in large Dutch oven over medium heat. When foaming subsides, add asparagus spears, pinch of salt, and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add peas and continue to cook 1 minute. Transfer vegetables to plate and set aside.
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Melt 3 tablespoons butter in now-empty Dutch oven over medium heat. When foaming subsides, add leeks, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until leeks are softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring frequently, until grains are translucent around edges, about 3 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring frequently, until fully absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes.
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When wine is fully absorbed, add 3 cups hot broth to rice. Simmer, stirring every 3 to 4 minutes, until liquid is absorbed and bottom of pan is almost dry, about 12 minutes.
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Stir in about 1/2 cup hot broth and cook, stirring constantly, until absorbed, about 3 minutes; repeat with additional broth 3 or 4 times until rice is al dente. Off heat, stir in remaining tablespoon butter, Parmesan, and lemon juice; gently fold in asparagus and peas. If desired, add up to 1/4 cup additional hot broth to loosen texture of risotto. Serve immediately, sprinkling each serving with gremolata and passing Parmesan separately.
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