Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

leek and pea risotto

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Melanie Ross
Rumford, ME

I make this dish every summer when we have BBQ's or as a side dish to steak, chicken or fish.

(1 rating)
yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 40 Min

Ingredients For leek and pea risotto

  • 3 Tbsp
    light olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp
    butter
  • 2 md
    leeks, finely chopped
  • 1 md
    onion, finely chopped
  • 1 stalk
    celery, finely chopped
  • 1 1/4 c
    arborio rice
  • 2 clove
    garlic, fine chopped
  • 2 tsp
    fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
  • 2/3 c
    dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 qt
    hot low-sodium vegetable stock, plus more stock or boiled water, if needed
  • 1 1/3 c
    frozen or fresh shelled peas, or chopped green beans
  • black pepper and sea salt to taste
  • 1/4 c
    grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

How To Make leek and pea risotto

  • 1
    Melt oil and butter together in a large heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir in chopped leeks, onion, and celery. saute gently for about 15 minutes to allow leeks and onions to sweat and become translucent, but not brown.
  • 2
    Add rice and garlic and mix well, coating rice in oil. Cook, stirring often, for a couple of minutes to allow rice to heat through, but not brown. Now stir in herbs and white wine (if using).
  • 3
    Add a couple of ladlefuls of hot stock (about 1/4 cup), enough to cover rice. Stir well and simmer gently, stirring frequently until stock is nearly absorbed. Do not let rice cook too quickly.
  • 4
    Gradually add more stock and keep stirring until all of it has been absorbed; do not allow risotto to dry out. You want a thick, soupy consistency. Stir in peas halfway through cooking the rice, after about 7 minutes.
  • 5
    After about 15 minutes rice should be cooked through but still al dente. If you run out of stock and rice is not cooked yet, use some extra stock or hot water to finish it off- but be careful not to let it overcook and become soggy or sticky.
  • 6
    Season with black pepper. Taste rice and add salt, if needed. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese. Mix well and let stand for 1 or 2 minutes. Then serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese and black pepper sprinkled over the top.
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