Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a delectable journey into the world of flavors with our ultimate guide to creating risotto with asparagus, fresh fava beans, and saffron. This harmonious blend of textures and flavors will transport you to a culinary haven. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to impress, our comprehensive guide will provide you with the necessary knowledge and techniques to craft a risotto that will leave a lasting impression on your palate. Embark on this culinary adventure as we explore the secrets behind cooking the perfect risotto, ensuring each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS, FRESH FAVA BEANS AND SAFFRON
Fava beans top my list of spring favorites. The 15 minutes that it will take you to shell and skin these high-protein, high-fiber treasures is time well spent, because their season is, sadly, a short one. A warning, though: fava beans are toxic to individuals with favism, caused by an inherited blood enzyme deficiency. Be cautious when trying fava beans for the first time.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h
Yield Serves four to six
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Prepare the fava beans. Shell them while you bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Drop the beans into the water, and boil small favas for one minute, large favas for two minutes. Transfer at once to a bowl of ice-cold water. Drain. Remove the skins, using your thumbnail to open up the skin at the spot where the bean attached to the pod, then gently squeezing out the bean.
- Pour the stock or broth into a saucepan, and bring it to a boil. Add the asparagus, and blanch for three minutes. Remove the asparagus with a slotted spoon or skimmer, refresh in a bowl of cold water, drain and set aside. Turn down the heat under the stock, and keep at a simmer with a ladle nearby or in the pot. Make sure that it is well seasoned.
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a wide, heavy skillet or saucepan, and add the onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until tender, about three minutes. Add the garlic and the rice. Cook, stirring, until the grains of rice are separate and beginning to crackle, about one to two minutes. Rub the saffron between your thumb and fingers, and stir into the rice.
- Add the wine, and stir over medium heat until it has been absorbed by the rice. Begin adding the simmering stock, two ladlefuls (about 1/2 cup) at a time. The stock should just cover the rice and should be bubbling, not too slowly nor too quickly. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid is almost absorbed. Add another ladleful or two of the stock, and continue to cook in this fashion - adding more stock when the rice is almost dry, then stirring - for 15 minutes. Then stir in the asparagus and the fava beans and another ladleful or two of stock. Continue adding stock and stirring the rice for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the rice is cooked al dente and the vegetables are tender. Add more stock to the rice, and stir in the Parmesan, pepper and chives. Remove from the heat. Taste and adjust salt. The rice should be creamy. Stir once and serve right away in wide soup bowls or on plates, spreading the risotto in a thin layer rather than lumping in a mound.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 529, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 82 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 15 grams, Protein 28 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 1399 milligrams, Sugar 20 grams
EASY PARMESAN "RISOTTO"
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the rice and 4 cups of the chicken stock in a Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset. Cover and bake for 45 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is al dente. Remove from the oven, add the remaining cup of chicken stock, the Parmesan, wine, butter, salt, and pepper, and stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes, until the rice is thick and creamy. Add the peas and stir until heated through. Serve hot.
RAVIOLI OF SMASHED FAVA BEANS, MINT AND RICOTTA
Steps:
- If the fava beans are very small and soft, you can use them raw. If they are medium to large, blanch them until just tender in unsalted boiling water (remove the skins after blanching if they are slightly tough). Smash or finely chop half the beans and leave the other half whole.
- Put all the beans into a bowl with the chopped mint (added to taste), olive oil and ricotta. Lightly fork this through, adding the Parmesan, lemon juice and seasoning to taste. Stuff the ravioli with the filling and cook them in gently boiling salted water for around 3 to 4 minutes, until tender. Drain carefully.
- Serve drizzled with a little extra olive oil, and scattered with the extra fava beans, some chopped mint, olive oil and some freshly grated or shaved Parmesan.
SPRING-VEGETABLE RISOTTO
Provided by Moira Hodgson
Categories dinner, quick, main course, side dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 first-course servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large frying pan, soften the onion with the carrots in one tablespoon butter. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for a couple of minutes until the rice is well coated with butter and starts to turn opaque. Add the saffron and wine and stir thoroughly.
- Add a cup of hot chicken stock and cook, stirring, until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add one-half cup more stock and continue cooking, stirring frequently.
- Add the fava beans and asparagus and another cup of stock. Continue cooking and adding stock until the rice is al dente. It is done when it is firm but tender and creamy. The vegetables should be barely tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Stir in the cheese and remaining butter. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 429, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 60 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 941 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 0 grams
FRESH ASPARAGUS RISOTTO
This classic risotto uses arborio rice, fresh asparagus, white wine, cream and Parmesan cheese for a creamy side dish just right for spring.
Provided by Allrecipes Member
Time 45m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat water and broth in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and keep warm. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium heat; add asparagus and cook until tender crisp. Remove asparagus; set aside. In same saucepan, cook onion in remaining 1 tablespoon butter until soft. Add rice and stir 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine; stir until absorbed. Increase heat to medium-high; stir in 1 cup water-broth mixture.
- Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, until liquid is absorbed. Continue stirring and adding remaining water-broth mixture 1 cup at a time, allowing each cup to be absorbed before adding another. Cook until rice is tender and mixture has a creamy consistency, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in asparagus, cream, cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until mixture is creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 265.7 calories, Carbohydrate 29.8 g, Cholesterol 45.4 mg, Fat 14.2 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 5.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.8 g, Sodium 307.5 mg, Sugar 1.6 g
FAVA BEAN AND BACON RISOTTO
Who doesn't like a good risotto? This provides a complete protein. This is from The Natural Menopause Cookbook.
Provided by luvcookn
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 35m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook the fava beans in a saucepan of lightly salted boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Drain and plunge into ice-cold water to cool. Peel away and discard the outer shells and set the beans aside.
- Heat the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the onion and bacon and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Add the rice and beans and continue to cook, stirring for 1-2 minutes.
- Add enough hot stock to cover the rice and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until most of the stock has been absorbed. Continue adding the stock in this way until it is almost completely absorbed and rice is tender.
- Remove from the heat, stir in the grated Parmesan, and season to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan shavings.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 654.8, Fat 15.8, SaturatedFat 7.7, Cholesterol 54.8, Sodium 1894.9, Carbohydrate 88.3, Fiber 10.4, Sugar 5.8, Protein 37.9
Tips:
- Fresh ingredients are key to a successful risotto. Use the best quality asparagus, fava beans, and saffron you can find.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the vegetables. If you do, they will steam instead of sautéing, and you'll end up with bland risotto.
- Add the stock to the risotto gradually, stirring constantly. This will help the rice absorb the liquid evenly and prevent it from becoming gummy.
- Don't overcook the risotto. It should be al dente, with a slight bite to it.
- Serve the risotto immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
Conclusion:
This risotto with asparagus, fresh fava beans, and saffron is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. It's also a great way to showcase the flavors of spring vegetables. With its creamy texture, vibrant colors, and delicate flavors, this risotto is sure to impress your guests.
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