I love spring! I love it for many reasons but the main one being that it ushers in all sorts of produce that makes me happy AND it peony season and they are my most favorite flowers of all times. One of my favorite spring items (besides peonies) is peas!! You can put them on just about anything and they'll lend a pop of color and a burst of freshness which is exactly what I wanted in this Spring Pea Risotto!
Risotto is a long lost art form I think. It's so simple to make but it requires a few minutes of undivided attention so we often forget about it. It's not like it takes 2 hours of focus, I mean, have you met me... I'd never make it!! But the few minutes needed to whip this up result in a creamy, cheesy rice dish that can take on any flavor - today it's lemon and peas! Perfect for spring. Also - side note (since I know you'll ask!) how gorgeous is this risotto pan!? it's a Lagostina and the top doubles as a serving trivet. I'm OBSESSED!! You'll be seeing a lot more risotto over here in the coming weeks!
Fresh Pea Risotto
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 shallots diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup Arborio Rice
- ½ cup dry White Wine
- 2 ½ cups Chicken Stock
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- â…“ cup mascarpone Cheese
- 1 ½ cups fresh peas quickly blanched
- pea tendrils to garnish
- lemon wedges
- kosher salt and white pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the shallot and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for about 1 minute. Add the Arborio rice to the skillet, making sure to stir it around in the olive oil so that each granule is coated with it, and toast it for about 90 seconds.
- Add the white wine and stir the rice until all the wine has been absorbed and then start adding the chicken stock ½ cup at a time, making sure not to add more until the previous addition has been absorbed.
- Once the rice is just tender, add the Parmesan and mascarpone cheese and combine. Add the previously blanched peas and carefully combine into the risotto. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with pea tendrils if available and a squeeze or two of lemon juice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking
I loved fresh peas so much.. I'll surely try this recipe.
I am totally inspired by this recipe to embark on the somewhat daunting and intimidating task of shucking peas. It scares me. Tell me it isn't as bad as it sounds AND that it's worth it in the end! OR- does anyone sell pre-shucked peas...maybe?
We love little spring peas.....this risotto looks fab. My kids would love it, especially with all that cheese.
I adore fresh peas!
I always find myself making risotto when I'm trying to eat healthy. I think it's risotto's way of convincing me that dieting is bad. 🙂
This was one of our favorite spring pea recipes this fall:
http://www.kitchenilliterate.com/2011/05/16/mushroom-chicken-and-spring-pea-penne/
Shelling peas brings back so many childhood memories for me. I will definitely be making this!
Beauty risotto! So tasty.
This is a wonderful dish that you can eat warm or cold. My kids love to eat peas, well not so much my four year old. Lately we've been enjoying Garlicy Green Pea Dip, check it out at: http://smartfoodandfit.com/2011/03/green-pea-dip-childrens-book-give-away/
Aah, I too am on a pea kick! And I am always on a carb kick, obviously. This looks delicious...I just had a fantastic sweet pea risotto at the beach this past weekend, so I'm having no trouble imagining the cheesy wine-y deliciousness of your recipe. 🙂
I heaved a sigh just reading this post, I guess because risotto is such comfort food. I must stir together a batch soon. The peas are a lovely addition.
OK, we've been enjoying 'Pea-camole': http://www.simplebites.net/salute-spring-peas-recipe-pea-camole/
It's a fun way to get kids to eat their veggies, and is pretty fantastic spread on toasted baguette or layered in a 7-layer dip.
Thanks for hosting Spring Fling!
Yum! But what I really want is the post on what a blasty you're no doubt having in NOLA! Saw Amanda's post and the tweets from everyone 🙂
This is such a pretty dish!
Without a doubt, pea risotto is my favorite kind. I could eat it every week. Thanks for posting!
This looks beautiful!
Mmmm... mascarpone cheese? I love that idea!