Spring Pea Mint Risotto (Printable Version)

Creamy risotto featuring spring peas, fresh mint, and Parmesan for a light, flavorful dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Produce

01 - 1 cup fresh or frozen spring peas
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
05 - Zest of 1 lemon, optional

→ Grains

06 - 1.5 cups Arborio rice

→ Dairy

07 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
08 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 0.25 cup heavy cream, optional

→ Liquids

10 - 4 cups vegetable broth, kept warm
11 - 0.5 cup dry white wine

→ Pantry

12 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - In a medium saucepan, warm the vegetable broth over low heat and maintain a gentle simmer throughout the cooking process.
02 - In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
03 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in the Arborio rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the grains are well coated and slightly translucent at the edges.
05 - Pour in the dry white wine and cook, stirring frequently, until mostly absorbed.
06 - Begin adding the warm broth one ladleful at a time, stirring frequently and allowing each addition to absorb before adding more. Continue this process for 18–20 minutes until the rice is creamy and al dente.
07 - When approximately 5 minutes of cooking remain, stir in the spring peas.
08 - Remove from heat and stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream if using, chopped mint, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
09 - Let the risotto rest for 2 minutes, then serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh mint and Parmesan cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The risotto comes together in under 45 minutes, so you're eating something elegant before you know it.
  • Fresh mint and lemon zest lift the richness of the cheese and cream, making it feel lighter than it actually is.
  • It's the kind of dish that impresses people without requiring any fancy techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.
02 -
  • The broth temperature matters more than you'd think—cold liquid will lower the pan's temperature and interrupt the creamy development, so keep it actively simmering the whole time.
  • Don't walk away from the risotto; the constant stirring isn't just tradition, it actually releases starch that creates the creamy sauce, and rushing it results in gluey rice or a watery dish.
  • Add the mint and lemon at the very end because heat diminishes their bright flavors—you want that fresh burst in every bite.
03 -
  • Invest in good Arborio rice and keep a container on hand—once you taste risotto made with the real thing, the cheaper varieties feel like compromise.
  • The finishing butter and cream might seem optional, but they're what elevate this from nice rice to restaurant-quality risotto, so include them if you can.
  • If you're making this for people with dietary restrictions, vegan butter and cashew cream work surprisingly well as substitutes without sacrificing that essential creaminess.
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