This risotto flavored with lemon, mint, peas, white wine and cream is ready in less than a hour.
Cheerful Risotto
2 quarts chicken broth
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups shelled peas (start with 1 1/2 pounds unshelled)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup heavy cream
Heat the broth in a large saucepan and keep at a simmer.
In another large saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice and toast, about 3 minutes.
Increase heat to medium. Pour in wine; stir until absorbed. Scoop in the hot broth, one cup at a time, stirring until each dose has been absorbed. When half the broth remains, add the peas.
After about 20 minutes, when most of the liquid has been added and the rice tastes delicious, but firm, turn off the heat. (You may not need all the broth.) Stir in the cheese, zest, mint and cream.
Makes 6 servings.
This recipe also appears in Eskin's book, Slices of Life: A Food Writer Cooks Through Many a Conundrum.
Food on 05/06/2015