Pea and Pesto Risotto

User Reviews

5

2 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    30 mins

  • Total Time

    40 mins

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    490 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Pea and Pesto Risotto

A delicious and easy Pea and Pesto Risotto made with white wine, leeks, peas and the most incredible 5-minute homemade basil pesto. Packed with zesty lemon this risotto is fresh, vibrant and utterly delicious!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1.5 cups arborio rice (300g)
  • 4-5 cups vegetable stock (1 litre)
  • ¼ cup white wine (60ml)
  • 1 leek or 2 small, large
  • 1 cup peas 150g, frozen
  • lemon zest of 1 lemon, juice of half a lemon
  • salt for seasoning
  • black pepper for seasoning

For the pesto

  • 2.5 cups basil 30g, fresh
  • cup Pecorino Romano cheese 30g, or Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1.5 tablespoons pine nuts (20g)
  • 1 garlic small clove
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (45ml) plus extra for sautéing

Instructions

Preparation

  1. Cut the leek in half and rinse it thoroughly in cold running water. Pat dry and cut into slices. Prepare your stock and keep it warm.

To make the pesto

  1. Put the basil, Pecorino, pine nuts, garlic and 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl and blitz to a smooth paste using an immersion (hand-held) blender. You can also use a small food processor or mortar and pestle. Once made, transfer to a bowl and set aside.

To make the risotto

  1. Add 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large pan and add the leeks. Saute for a few minutes until softened but not browned (around 2 minutes).
  2. Add the rice and toast it for 1-2 minutes making sure it's coated in all the oils from the leeks then add the white wine. Let the wine reduce (1 minute) then add 2 ladles of stock.
  3. Stir the risotto until the stock has been absorbed then add more a little at a time letting it absorb in between additions. When you add the last of the stock add the peas, lemon zest and juice cook for a couple of minutes until the peas are cooked.
  4. Stir in the pesto and turn off the heat. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed then serve.

Notes

  • Check for seasoning! - Risotto needs a lot more seasoning than you think but start off with a small amount, taste it and adjust accordingly adding more as needed.
  • Use good quality stock - try to use a good quality vegetable or chicken stock if possible. This is what will give a lot of flavour to the risotto.
  • Use homemade pesto - pesto takes 5 minutes to make (using a blender) and tastes incredible. Store-bought pesto sold in jars tastes completely different and I never buy or use it.
  • What to do with leftovers? - leftovers can be eaten cold or reheated until piping hot all the way through. You'll need to add a little water to loosen it. You can also turn leftover risotto into Arancini. Roll into balls and dip in flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs then deep fry until golden brown.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 490kcal (25%) Carbohydrates 73g (24%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g (18%) Monounsaturated Fat 9g (45%) Cholesterol 9mg (3%) Sodium 1049mg (44%) Potassium 273mg (6%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 1976IU (40%) Vitamin C 20mg (22%) Calcium 143mg (14%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 490 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 490kcal 25%
Carbohydrates 73g 24%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 1049mg 44%
Potassium 273mg 6%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 1976IU 40%
Vitamin C 20mg 22%
Calcium 143mg 14%
Iron 5mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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User Reviews

Overall Rating

5

2 reviews
Excellent

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