More of summers bounty is starting to show up at the farmers market and this weekend I came across some fresh peas in their pods. Although it takes a bit of work to get the peas from their protective pods, I always enjoy fresh, sweet and crispy peas. I most often just add them to salads but their sweetness works so well in cheesy risotto that it is hard to resist making a least one batch every summer. Risotto also takes some effort to make but this one with is nice and creamy and with the sweet peas, a splash of lemon, and a hit of mint is just bursting with summery freshness is so worth it.
I wanted to turn this risotto into more of a light meal and one great way to do so is to simply add some shrimp. I could easily have just added the shrimp directly to the risotto along with the peas at the end but I was thinking that I could kick things up a notch by hitting the shrimp with the Creole spice blend that I use on shrimp in shrimp po' boys. I was also thinking that shrimp tossed in a simple mint pesto would also be really nice on this fresh pea risotto.
Fresh Pea Risotto with Spicy Grilled Shrimp
(makes 4 servings)Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 tablespoon creole spice blend
1/2 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion (diced)
1 clove garlic (chopped)
1 cup arborio rice (or other medium or short grained rice)
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1 cup fresh peas
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)
1 tablespoon butter
salt & pepper to taste
1 splash lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon mint (chopped)
1 tablespoon oil
1/2 tablespoon creole spice blend
1/2 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion (diced)
1 clove garlic (chopped)
1 cup arborio rice (or other medium or short grained rice)
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1 cup fresh peas
1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)
1 tablespoon butter
salt & pepper to taste
1 splash lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon mint (chopped)
Directions:
1. Mix the oil and creole spice blend and marinate the shrimp in it.
2. Melt the butter in large sauce pan.
3. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter.
6. Add the wine, deglaze the pan and stir while simmering until it is gone.
7. Add 1/2 cup of the stock at a time and stir while simmering until it is gone. Continue until the rice is cooked al dente.
8. Mix in the peas, parmigiano reggiano and butter and stir until the cheese and butter has melted.
9. Remove from heat and mix in the lemon and mint and serve.
10. Grill the shrimp until cooked, about 2-3 minutes per side.
1. Mix the oil and creole spice blend and marinate the shrimp in it.
2. Melt the butter in large sauce pan.
3. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter.
6. Add the wine, deglaze the pan and stir while simmering until it is gone.
7. Add 1/2 cup of the stock at a time and stir while simmering until it is gone. Continue until the rice is cooked al dente.
8. Mix in the peas, parmigiano reggiano and butter and stir until the cheese and butter has melted.
9. Remove from heat and mix in the lemon and mint and serve.
10. Grill the shrimp until cooked, about 2-3 minutes per side.
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Shrimp and Andouille Grits
Asparagus Risotto with a Poached Egg
Baby Artichoke Heart Quinoa Risotto with Shrimp and Meyer Lemon Pesto
Creamy Pea and Artichoke Pesto Pasta Salad
Fresh Pea Salad
Blackened Shrimp on Kale and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Andouille Cream
