Meatless Friday: Risotto with Asparagus and Lemon

Risotto with asparagus and lemon

Ingredients:

6 cups vegetable stock, preferably homemade

1/4 cup olive oil

1 small onion

1 cup Arborio rice

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 bunch asparagus, trimmed, stalks cut into 2-inch lengths

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest, plus more for garnish

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

1/2 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions:

Bring stock to a simmer in a medium saucepan. Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat in another saucepan. Cook onion, stirring frequently, until soft, 6 to 7 minutes. Add rice, cook, stirring, until edges are translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add wine; cook, stirring, just until evaporated. Add 1/2 cup hot stock; cook, stirring, until almost absorbed. Continue adding 1/2 cup stock in this manner until liquid is creamy and rice is al dente, about 20 minutes total (you may not need to add all the stock).

Add asparagus with the last addition of stock, and the peas about 1 minute before risotto is done. Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest and juice, parsley, cheese, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with additional cheese and lemon zest.

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Copyright 2019 Mary Help of Christians Academy Culinary Arts

About the author: Mary Help of Christians Academy, located in the Diocese of Paterson, is a private Catholic secondary school for young women. It is conducted by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, in collaboration with laypersons committed to Catholic education.