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Leek And Pea Risotto

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a bowl of risotto with leeks, peas, garnish, and cheese
Prep Time: 
40 minutes
Number of Servings: 
4
Recipe Source: 
FOOD: Vegetarian Home Cooking by Mary McCartney ($29.95, Sterling, 2013)

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp light olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 2 medium leeks, finely chopped
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
  • 1 1⁄4 cups risotto rice
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
  • 2⁄3 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 qt hot low-sodium vegetable stock, plus more stock or boiled water, if needed
  • 1 1⁄3 cups frozen or fresh shelled peas, or chopped green beans
  • Black pepper and sea salt, to taste
  • 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese , plus more for serving

Directions

  1. Melt oil and butter together in a large heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Stir in chopped leeks, onion, and celery and then 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 ladlefuls of hot stock (about 3⁄4 cup), enough to cover rice. Stir well, and simmer gently, stirring frequently, until stock is nearly absorbed, but 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.

Notes

  • You can play around with the vegetables you use, for instance, substituting 6 shallots for the leeks.

Discover healthy and simple vegetarian recipes to tempt both vegetarians and meat-eaters alike.

Fresh, inspirational and irresistible, Mary’s first cookbook will enthuse readers to bring more meat-free cooking into their repertoires. Mary gives us ideas for every meal, from breakfasts to Sunday roasts, and offers new twists on old classics.

Using stories and photographs (past and present) to tell her life through food, Mary has created recipes for friends and family that are imaginative and creative.

marymccartney.com

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Contributor

Mary McCartney

Mary McCartney is a world renowned photographer, film-maker and sustainable food pioneer.

As a leading British creative, her work covers multiple disciplines, but is always rooted in her passion for impactful storytelling.

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