What better way to celebrate spring than with a medley of artichokes, asparagus, and peas? Risotto is one of my favorite things to cook because it's extremely versatile and lends itself to an array of ingredients. No matter the season, there's nothing you can't add to risotto even leftover meats and vegetables.
I've been making a variation of this spring inspired risotto for a number of years. This time, I've added artichokes. I've been a little obsessed with artichokes after roasting them with garlic and dipping them in a heavenly aioli earlier this week. Artichokes take a bit more effort to prepare compared to your average vegetable, but they're definitely worth it; you can never go wrong with creamy rice and delicate pieces of chopped artichoke hearts. To me, this dish is a splendid harbinger of spring, an anticipatory taste of summer's bounty.
Often times people are turned off by cooking risotto because they feel they have to be glued to the pot. It's true, making risotto takes some love and care from the cook, but I actually enjoy stirring the pot, sipping a glass of wine, and leaving my mind free to wander. It's an alternative form of meditation, and one that leaves you with a delicious dinner.
SPRING
RISOTTO
Ingredients:
2 tbsp.
olive oil
1 tbsp.
unsalted butter
2
cloves garlic, minced
1 large
yellow onion
1½ cups
arborio, carnaroli, or baldo rice
¾ cups
white wine
4 to 5
cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 globe
artichokes
1 lb.
asparagus
1 cup
fresh green or frozen peas
Zest
from 1 lemon
Juice
from half a lemon
1
lemon, for preparing the artichoke
1 cup
Parmesan
Handful
of Italian parsley, chopped
To
prepare the artichokes, start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a
boil. Using a serrated knife, cut the top 2/3 off of each artichoke and
discard. With a paring knife, cut off the green outer leaves until you reach
the light areas of the artichoke. Pull off the purple colored leaves and
discard. With a small spoon, scoop out the choke being careful not to dig into
the heart. Using the same knife or a vegetable peeler, remove all of the green
off the stem. Rub the artichokes with lemon juice to prevent browning and place
in a small bowl filled with water, with half a lemon in it, until ready to use.
Place the artichokes and lemon in boiling water and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, until a
paring knife slides easily in and out of the heart. Remove the artichokes and lemon with
a spider and place in a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Discard lemon. Once cool, chop artichokes into
large cubes.
In the
same boiling water, blanch the asparagus for 2 to 3 minutes, just until tender.
Immediately transfer the asparagus to a bowl of ice water to stop them from
cooking. Once cool, chop the asparagus on the bias into 1½-inch pieces.
Meanwhile,
begin the risotto. In a 2-quart pot, bring the stock just to a boil. Turn off
heat and cover to keep warm. In a large Dutch oven or other heavy duty pot,
heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until
translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, and stir, cooking for 1
minute more. Add the rice and stir to coat with the vegetables, oil, and
butter. Pour in the white wine and let simmer until most of the wine has cooked
down and been absorbed by the rice. Begin adding the stock two ladles at a
time. Allow the liquid to be almost completely absorbed before adding more.
Continue adding the stock a ladle at a time, allowing it to absorb, until the
rice is done, about 25 to 30 minutes.
When the
rice is 10 minutes from being done, add the artichokes, asparagus, peas, lemon
zest, 2 tsp. salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine and continue cooking and
adding the stock, stirring almost constantly, until the rice is tender, but
firm. Once done, turn off the heat, and stir in the lemon juice, Parmesan
cheese, and chopped parsley. Taste to adjust seasonings. Garnish with more
cheese and drizzle with olive oil, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes:
- If you're intimidated by the artichokes, watch chef instructor John Riley from the CIA demonstrate how easy it is to prepare them here.
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