Lemon Risotto with Peas and Pea Tendrils and Scampi | Rachael Ray
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This recipe has the flavor of spring in it, says Rach. Fresh peas are mixed into the lemony risotto, which is then garnished with pea tendrils. You could stop right there and have a delicious dish, but it's even better topped with sauteed shrimp flavored with garlic, vermouth, red pepper flakes and, you guessed it, more lemon. Happy Spring!
For more recipes from our "When Life Gives You Lemons" episode, check out Christopher Kimball's Lebanese-Style Spicy Potatoes with Lemon and Cilantro and Linguine with Artichokes, Asparagus and Lemon-Mint Ricotta.
- 6 cups vegetable broth/stock OR chicken bone broth for non-vegetarian preparation
- The peels of 2 small lemons (try to trim them to gather just the skin and less pith; reserve the peeled lemons)
- 2 tablespoons EVOO
- 1 small white onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped or grated
- 1 ½ cups carnaroli or arborio rice
- Salt and white pepper or fine black pepper
- 1 cup Italian white wine, crisp and dry in flavor
- 1 cup small fresh peas
- 3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or combine with ½ cup each Parm and pecorino
- 1 teaspoon acacia honey or sugar or light agave
- Juice of the zested lemons
- Pea tendrils, to serve
- 1 pound small, sweet shrimp, deveined and tails off
- 3 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- Salt
- 1 scant teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons EVOO
- ½ cup dry vermouth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Warm broth over low flame, steeping it with lemon peels.
Heat EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, in a round-bottomed pot or pan. Add onions and garlic and soften 2 to 3 minutes. Add rice and combine, add salt and white pepper and stir 2 minutes more, then add the white wine and stir until it is fully absorbed. Add the broth in 3 stages, stirring vigorously after each addition. The rice should cook 18 minutes for al dente. Add the peas after 12 minutes or so. To finish the risotto, in the last minute or 2, add butter, cheese, honey and lemon juice. Serve risotto garnished with pea tendrils.
For the scampi, toss shrimp with garlic and zest, salt and red pepper and let stand 10 to 15 minutes.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, add the EVOO and shrimp and toss until pink and opaque, 3 minutes. Add the vermouth and lemon juice, swirl in butter, then add parsley and toss. Top risotto with scampi.
From Rachael Ray In Season, The Vegetable Issue, Spring 2022.