Monday, March 24, 2014

Asparagus and Lemon Risotto


The week-ends go by so fast, but really so do most days. I sometimes feel myself reeling from one event to the other. Most of the time I am worrying or thinking about what I have to do the next day, and I am not enjoying the actual moment. For example, this week-end as we visited with family I found myself thinking about the next meal or snack, or are there enough towels and so on. But then, another thought was isn't that what your supposed to do when you entertain? What I'm trying to say is I need more balance......

When everyone left and all was quiet, my husband and I prepared this asparagus and lemon risotto. I believe this is what brought to my attention the matter of balance. I began to worry that the amount of lemon would over power the asparagus, and that we needed to have a balance of flavors. In the end, I did not need to worry so much. This dish is Nigel Slater's recipe from "The Kitchen Diaries" , and he must of already seen through this little debacle as the balance between the two flavors was perfect. When I finished the risotto and stirred in the Parmesan cheese at the end, it was terrific.

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons of butter (I used unsalted)
1 very small onion (minced)
1 cup arborio
4 ounces of white wine
1 pound asparagus (trimmed, cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces)
4 1/2 cups chicken stock (I used low salt)
2 small lemons (zested and juiced)
3 large tablespoons Parmesan cheese

To prepare:

In a heavy pot, melt butter, add onion and cook on low heat until soft and translucent.

Add in the rice and stir with a wooden spoon to mix in the butter, then add the wine and stir until liquid has just about disappeared. Add a large ladle of stock and stir until liquid has almost disappeared. This next time add in asparagus and then the stock and stir once again until liquid has just about disappeared, repeat this process until all stock is gone.


Season with salt, pepper, lemon zest and juice and continue stirring until rice is creamy but has a little bite left in it. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and serve right away. Enjoy with a nice green salad and a glass of white wine!


Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

36 comments:

  1. I bet this is really tasty. GG

    ReplyDelete
  2. I haven't had risotto in ages! Can't wait to give this a try. Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yum I love a good risotto, especially this one with asparagus and lemon. Perfect for spring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tina, it was pretty good, thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  4. I adore risotto! This one look so fresh and bright and refreshing. Can't wait to try it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I always trust his recipes, Cheri ... so I'm sure this WAS perfectly balanced. Great thoughts! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Helen, no you are right, he does have good recipes.

      Delete
  6. Wow Cheri - I just love this dish - the wine, lemon and asparagus, what a perfect combination. Yum! I struggle with living in the moment sometimes - I could enjoy a moment with a bowl of this Risotto :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I totally hear you. Time flies and the weekends even more so, especially if you have events going on. I love that you made a nice warm dish for yourselves to relax with. We love risotto! I've made asparagus and lemon risotto but not sure I ever combined the two. I want to try now! And I really one to make a corn risotto once corn is in season. : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that corn risotto sounds so good Monica, great idea!

      Delete
  8. This dish just screams spring! Can't get enough of asparagus when it is in season. Can't wait to make this Cheri!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Natalie, me too! I've been enjoying asparagus several times a week the last few weeks.

      Delete
  9. I have all of these ingredients! I'm thinking dinner! This looks so good! Balance is so hard. I'm hoping in the end it all balances out!

    ReplyDelete
  10. mmmm im so getting ready for asparagus season! can't wait to try this out x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Trisha, I know the season is so short, enjoy while we can.

      Delete
  11. I love everything about this dish. Asparagus is just finishing here, so I'd better get a move on if I want to make it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know the season is so short, thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  12. Asparagus and lemon? Sign me up!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely sounding risotto Cheri. I have made asparagus risotto but not with lemon. I like that idea! I'll try it your way next time.

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's not even 6am here and I'm wanting a bowl of this delicious sounding risotto. And every morning in the shower I plan my day :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Thanks Tandy, thats funny, as I pretty much plan my day the same way.

      Delete
  15. As soon as see asparagus around here, I'm making this! Thanks! :) ela

    ReplyDelete
  16. I often go a little overboard with lemon, so I would have been worried about that as well! But I'm a worrier in general. So glad the risotto turned out perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've never made risotto and have started a Pinterest Board for when I finally decide to give it a try. With that said... Pinned! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the pin Lea Ann, I'll have to check out your board, we love risotto around here.

      Delete
  18. I love the idea of adding some lemon to an asparagus risotto. Looks really tangy and delicious! I'll definitely be trying....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sarah, we use a lot of lemon around here this time of year. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete