by KelseyTheNaptimeChef
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KelseyTheNaptimeChef's Notes:
Expand1 pound fresh asparagus Ask a question about this ingredient
5 tablespoons unsalted butter Ask a question about this ingredient
1 onion, finely chopped Ask a question about this ingredient
1 1/2 cup arborio rice Ask a question about this ingredient
1/2 cup white wine Ask a question about this ingredient
4 cups chicken stock (homemade preferred, but Knorr cubes are fine, too) Ask a question about this ingredient
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan Ask a question about this ingredient
Kosher salt & fresh pepper Ask a question about this ingredient
Trim the asparagus and blanch it in a pot of boiled water. Once it is tender enough to be speared with a fork, drain the water and cut the asparagus into 2" pieces. Set aside.
Ask a question about this stepIn a low-wide saucepan, or a specialty risotto pan if you have one, heat 4 T. of butter over medium heat. Allow the butter to warm until it gets bubbly and turns a golden brown and has a nutty fragrance. This takes a little under 2 minutes.
Ask a question about this stepAdd the chopped onion to pan and allow it to simmer in the browned butter until translucent and tender. About 4-5 minutes.
Ask a question about this stepNext, add the rice and stir until it is coated with the butter and well-mixed with the onion, then add the wine and deglaze the bottom of the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
Ask a question about this stepSimmer until the wine has almost evaporated. Then, add 1/2 c. of the chicken stock and stir until it is completely absorbed. Continue adding the chicken stock by 1/2 c., stirring constantly, until it is all absorbed. About 10 minutes.
Ask a question about this stepOnce all the chicken stock has been added, cook until the rice is tender to the bite. About 8-10 minutes. Then remove risotto from heat and stir in the remaining parmesan and butter. Taste the risotto and if it needs more salt add the Kosher salt pinch by pinch, stirring after each addition until it suits your taste. (I find that when I use unsalted homemade stock I need to add salt, but I don't when I use the Knorr bouillon cubes which are already salty).
Ask a question about this stepFinally, using a wooden spoon, stir the asparagus pieces into the risotto and finish off with a few cranks for black pepper if you want. Serve hot.
Ask a question about this stepI've made this recipe several times, and it is fantastic. Instead of steaming the asparagus, I roast the spears with olive oil and then slice them into smaller pieces when cool. The one time I had leftovers of this dish, I made arancini, and they were equally delicious. Once asparagus comes back in season, I'm going to try that again.
Great simple recipe. You may want to consider cooking your asparagus in a little bit of (browned) butter in a pan instead of boiling it. Asparagus has flavor compounds that are water soluble so when you cook it in water, all of it is lost. That's why the water has a green tint. Try it out for yourself next time and compare the flavors.
Kelsey, I made this last night, from ingredients that I had in the house, for a dinner alone. It was perfect! I have the leftovers and I am going to spread them out in a nonstick pan and make a big crispy pancake to serve for lunch. Thank you! It really was just the thing.
What is it about browned butter that finishes a dish so nicely? Great tip - and asparagus in the pantry from yesterday's Farmers Market foray...
I know, Browned butter always does the trick with a multitude of dishes. I even just did a cookie recipe with browned butter and it was so yummy!
Thanks so much Maria! I adore artichokes too (wouldn't you love it if Food52 did an artichoke contest?!!) and I think this recipe would work really well with artichoke hearts instead of asparagus. Browning the butter occurred to me a couple of years ago after I read about the trend and now I do it in lots of things I make these days - it is so easy and delicious. I bet your asparagus recipe is delicious. :)
I love asparagus risotto, well I love them all but especially artichokes and asparagus. I will try this recipe, never thought about browning the butter. You are incredibly imaginatif, well done. Won't post my asparagus recipe, it's too bland next to yours.
That is a great idea, tossing browned butter with pasta and cheese. It is such a simple way to amp up the flavor of any dish!
Asparagus!!! They are popping out everywhere!! Spring is here!! I love the little spears fresh out of the ground. You can almost see them growing it happens so fast. So tender for a dish like risotto. Great classic Italian recipe.
Aki Kamozawa and H. Alexander Talbot are the founders of the culinary consulting business Ideas in Food.
If you have any asparagus risotto leftover try making a "Riso al Salto"* with Asparagi alla Bismark (fried egg and parmigiano) on top. Did so for a Sunday brunch a couple of days ago and Oh what heaven.
*press cold risotto into non stick pan and slowly fry till a thick crunchy crust forms. Flip and cook till other side is crusty as well.