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Creamy Spring Pea and Mint Risotto

spring pea and mint risotto - featured image

A quick and easy risotto featuring fresh spring peas and mint, delivering a creamy, bright, and comforting dish perfect for spring dining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (200g) Arborio rice
  • 1 cup (150g) fresh spring peas (or thawed frozen peas)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable or chicken broth, kept warm
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Warm the broth in a saucepan over low heat and keep it warm throughout cooking.
  2. Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add the chopped shallot and cook for about 2 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add Arborio rice and stir to coat with oil and aromatics. Cook for 1-2 minutes until edges are translucent but center is opaque.
  5. Pour in dry white wine and stir constantly until mostly absorbed.
  6. Add warm broth gradually, one ladle (about 1/2 cup) at a time, stirring gently and allowing each addition to absorb before adding the next. Continue for 18-20 minutes.
  7. About 5 minutes before the rice is done, stir in the peas and cook until tender and vibrant green.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in butter, Parmesan cheese, and chopped mint leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Let the risotto rest off the heat for 1-2 minutes to thicken slightly.
  10. Serve immediately.

Notes

Keep broth warm to ensure smooth absorption and creamy texture. Stir gently but regularly to release starch without breaking rice grains. Add peas near the end to keep them vibrant and sweet. Mint should be added last to preserve its fresh flavor. For a richer version, add a splash of cream at the end. Vegan version can be made by substituting butter with vegan margarine and Parmesan with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: risotto, spring peas, mint, creamy risotto, easy dinner, vegetarian, quick meal, Italian recipe