Baked Risotto with Peas, Asparagus & Pancetta Recipes from The Kitchn

By susanwadle

From Susan Wadle and The Kitchn

Ingredients

• 4 ounces finely chopped pancetta (See Recipe Notes)
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 large shallots (4 cloves), finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 4 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
• 1/2 bunch pencil-thin asparagus stalks, cut into 3/4-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from thekitchn.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven 400°F.

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Reduce heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon butter and shallots to the pancetta drippings and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the rice and sauté until every grain is coated with butter, about 1 minute.

Increase heat to high. Pour in the wine and simmer until the liquid evaporates. Add stock and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Remove from the oven and place over moderate heat. Stir in peas and asparagus and cook until the vegetables are bright green and warmed through, about 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons butter, Parmesan, and lemon zest. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Garnish with additional Parmesan and reserved pancetta.

To make the risotto in advance

, bake the risotto for 15 - 20 minutes. Cool and transfer to the refrigerator. When ready to serve, add 1 1/2 cups hot stock and vegetables and cook over medium heat until warm. Stir in the butter, Parmesan, and lemon zest. Season to taste.

I have long been a fan of the baked mushroom risotto recipe I pulled from this site years ago, and this looks like an awesome variation on it! Perfect for a quick (ish) weeknight dinner.

One of the reasons I like to make risotto is that it isn't time consuming! If you have the ingredients ready, it cooks in about 20 minutes on top of the stove. And believe it or not, it is just as good made in a pressure cooker (cooks in about 5 minutes).