Spring Vegetable Risotto with Goat Cheese and Mint

Spring Vegetable Risotto with Goat Cheese and Mint

This is a lighter, more healthful risotto featuring spring vegetables.  It doesn't take long to prepare so it is great for a weeknight meal.  The earthiness of asparagus and peas are brightened with mint.  The goat cheese rounds out the whole dish and adds some creaminess without weighing things down.

Spring Vegetable Risotto with Goat Cheese and Mint (printable recipe)

Ingredients:

• 6 cups vegetable or chicken stock
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 4 Tablespoons butter
• 1 cup onion, diced
• 1 leek, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced 
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped fine
• 1 pound arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 pound asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/2 cup peas - fresh or frozen
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/3 cup parsley, chopped 
• 1/4 cup mint, chiffonade
• Salt and pepper

Directions:
In a small saucepan, warm stock on medium high heat. Once it comes to a simmer turn heat to low and keep warm.

In a large pot, heat olive oil with 2 tablespoons of butter on medium heat and add onion. Saute for 3-4 minutes or until translucent and then add leek and garlic. Saute for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add rice to pot and stir to coat in fat for 2 minutes. 

Pour in white wine and let it come to a simmer. Once wine has reduced, ladle in warm stock so it just covers rice. Stir and let simmer. As stock reduces, keep adding liquid (about 1 cup at a time). 

Once rice is almost cooked through, about 10-15 minutes, add asparagus and peas. Continue adding stock and stirring until rice and vegetables are all cooked through. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 3 oz of goat cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan, parsley, and mint. 

Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve immediately and pass remaining goat cheese and Parmesan cheese at the table for garnish.

Serves 6

Comments

[patricia price]

Thanks for this wonderful recipe, My daughter was just asking me to make a risotto with peas! I will save this recipe and try it when she comes home.

[Anavar]

Great recipe! Risotto looks delicious in your photo! Who knows if mine will look that tasty too! ;)

[Margot]

Looks awesome! I made something very simliar to this last week sans the goat cheese. I tossed in a bit of asparagus too because it was looking so fresh at the market. Couldn't resist. :)

[Vegetable Matter]

Beautiful risotto. I love that you used all seasonal items, too. It definitely looks like a spring dish.

[Fight the Fat Foodie]

You have so many of my favorites in this, wonderful!

[Roti n Rice]

Looks really creamy and delicious! It must be flavorful too.

[bunkycooks]

A perfect spring risotto! It looks so creamy.

[Mateja]

Thank you for the add on FoodBuuz! What a tasty plate of risotto! You used all the flavors I love in one decedent dish! Bookmarking ^_^