Fennel, Zucchini, and Pea Risotto

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Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Risotto isn’t as tough as some people think it is. It just takes a little patience and a couple of need-tos.


One thing you need to do is warm the broth before you use it. Just keep it in a pan over low heat on your stove top.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

I love this Thai Coconut Curry broth but feel free to use any broth. If you use vegetable stock, this risotto will make an amazing vegetarian dish.

Thinly slice the fennel bulb:

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

And save some of the fennel fronds for later.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Sauté the fennel in a little butter or olive oil.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

While that cooks, chop a shallot:

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

And toss those into the pan with the fennel.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Once the fennel and shallot are soft, add 1 cup of Arborio rice.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Stir the rice around in the pan and let it soak-up some of that fennel/shallot/butter goodness.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

After about 5 minutes, add a glass of dry white wine.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Stir until the rice soaks up the wine.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

This is where another need-to comes in. Add a cup of warm broth to the rice:

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

And stir until all of the stock is absorbed into the rice.

Once all of the stock is absorbed you can add another cup of broth… but only then.

Repeat this process, one cup at a time, until you’ve used all of the stock. You’ll need 32 ounces of broth for 1 cup of Arborio rice.

Take your time, your patience will be rewarded.

In the meantime, sauté the zucchini:

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

And take the peas out of their pods.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Add the sautéed zucchini to the rice when you add the last cup of stock.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Once the last cup of stock is absorbed, add the peas:

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

And a big dollop of mascarpone cheese.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Actually, I added 2 dollops.

Look how creamy this is!

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Right before you serve, add the chopped fennel fronds from earlier.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Serve this risotto with your favorite beef, chicken, pork, or seafood dish.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

Or, all by itself like we did the other night.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

I loved this combination of vegetables.

Fennel, Zucchini, Pea Risotto

This was the first time I added fresh peas to risotto, but it certainly won’t be my last.

Fennel, Zucchini, and Pea Risotto
Author: 
 
Ingredients
  • 32 oz Broth (chicken, vegetable, etc)
  • 1 Fennel Bulb, thinly sliced
  • Fennel Fronds, chopped
  • 1 Shallot, chopped
  • 1 T Butter
  • 1 C Arborio Rice
  • 1 C Dry White Wine
  • 1 Zucchini
  • Spring Peas
  • 1-2 Dollops of Mascarpone Cheese.
Instructions
  1. Heat the broth and keep warm over low heat.
  2. Sauté the fennel in a little butter or olive oil.
  3. Once soft, add the shallot.
  4. Sauté for another minutes and add the Arborio Rice.
  5. Stir the rice around in the pan and let it soak-up some of that fennel/shallot/butter flavors, about 5 minutes.
  6. Add the wine and stir until the rice soaks up most of the wine.
  7. Add a cup of the warm broth to the rice and whisk until most of the broth has been absorbed by the rice.
  8. Add another cup of warm broth and whisk until most of the broth has been absorbed by the rice.
  9. Repeat this process, one cup at a time, until you’ve used all of the stock. You’ll need 32 ounces of broth for 1 cup of Arborio rice.
  10. In the meantime, sauté the zucchini in some butter or olive oil.
  11. Take the peas out of their pods.
  12. Add the sautéed zucchini to the rice when you add the last cup of stock and stir.
  13. Once the last cup of stock is absorbed, add the peas.
  14. Add the mascarpone cheese and combine.
  15. Add the chopped fennel fronds, combine, and serve.

 

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