Creamy Broad Bean, Lemon & Mint Risotto
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
50g butter
2 shallots, very finely chopped
1 large leek, finely sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
300g risotto rice
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
100ml dry white wine
600ml hot chicken or vegetable stock
400g broad beans
1 tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped
2 tbsps crème Fraiche
50g fresh parmesan cheese
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the rocket pesto
500g fresh rocket leaves
700ml extra virgin olive oil
100g toasted pine nuts
200g freshly grated parmesan
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
METHOD:
1. Place a large saucepan or casserole dish over a medium heat and add the butter, followed by the shallots, leeks and garlic, cover and lower the heat to allow the shallots to soften (but not brown), this will take about three minutes. Then stir in the rice and stir for a couple of minutes. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Pour the white wine, stir and allow the alcohol to evaporate, this should take around three minutes. Slowly pour in the hot stock, ladle by ladle until all the stock is absorbed stirring all the time. It should take between 15 to 20 minutes for the rice to cook, followed by the lemon juice and zest.
3. Make the rocket pesto by placing all the ingredients in a food processor, season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Blend until you reach a smooth consistency.
4. About 5 minutes before the rice is cooked stir in the broad beans and fresh mint and about 1 minute before you serve the risotto stir in the crème fraiche and grated parmesan cheese.
5. Serve each bowl of risotto with a drizzle of the rocket pesto on top.
