Garden Risotto Recipe

Garden Risotto Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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With asparagus, spinach and peas, this simple side adds spectacular flavor and tons of health benefits from green veggies. Add some Parmesan cheese, and you've got one delectable dish! —Kendra Doss, Kansas City, Missouri

This recipe is:

Healthy

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Garden Risotto Recipe

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 25 min.

Yield: 8 Servings

20 25 45

Ingredients

1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
4-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 medium onion, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
1-1/2 cups uncooked arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine or additional reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup frozen peas
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Place asparagus in a steamer basket; place in a small saucepan over 1 in. of water. Bring to a boil; cover and steam for 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Set aside.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat broth and keep warm. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute onion in oil until tender. Add rice; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat; stir in the wine, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until all of the liquid is absorbed.
Add heated broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly. Allow the liquid to absorb between additions. Cook just until risotto is creamy and rice is almost tender. (Cooking time is about 20 minutes.)
Add the spinach, peas, cheese and reserved asparagus; cook and stir until heated through. Serve immediately. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutritional Facts 3/4 cup equals 203 calories, 2 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 2 mg cholesterol, 539 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 7 g protein.

Originally published as Garden Risotto in Healthy Cooking June/July 2010, p42

Parmesan Pointers

When a recipe calls for shredded Parmesan cheese, use the cheese found in bags in the grocery store dairy section. Shredded Parmesan is often used in salads or soups where the shreds make a pretty garnish. If grated Parmesan is called for, use the finely grated cheese sold in containers with shaker/pourer tops. This type works well in lasagna and casseroles. (You can substitute either shredded or grated Parmesan in equal proportions in your favorite recipes.) If you decide to buy a chunk of Parmesan cheese and grate your own, be sure to use the finest section on your grating tool. You can also use a blender or food processor. Simply cut the cheese into 1-inch cubes and process 1 cup of cubes at a time on high until finely grated.