This delicious Lemon Risotto is a wonderful meatless main dish or enjoy it as side dish with any meat, fish or seafood!

Lemon Risotto with Pea Shoots

Lemon risotto is one of my favourite dishes any time of year, but this time of year, I like to freshen and lighten it up with some fresh pea shoots. It makes a delicious meatless main dish or a lovely side dish.

We are lucky here in Muskoka to have a great hydroponic greens grower, that keeps our local, small town grocery stores well stocked with shoots and sprouts of all sorts. I love the fresh flavour that sprouts brings to all kinds of dishes. The natural lemon flavour of this dish is perfectly suited for a bit of shrimp or chicken on top, too!

Cook’s Notes

Adjust the lemon juice/zest in this recipe to your taste. The recipe starts with a minimum amount, so you can add more as needed. Be sure to taste at the end and add salt and pepper as needed, as well.

Lemon Risotto with Pea Shoots - a delicious meatless main or perfect as a side dish with any meat.

lemon risotto with peach shoots on top in white bowl with fork

Get the Recipe: Lemon Risotto with Pea Shoots

A delicious meatless main course or a lovely side dish with any meat. Also nice with some grilled or chicken on top!
5 stars from 2 ratings
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups (940 ml) chicken broth
  • 2 Tbsp (29.57 g) butter
  • 3 tsp (14.79 ml) olive oil
  • 1 large (1 large) shallots, finely diced
  • 1 1/2 cups (300 ml) arborio rice
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry white wine
  • 2/3 cup (66.67 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tbsp (14.79 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tsp (9.86 ml) grated lemon zest, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 Tbsp (7.39 g) butter, for finishing
  • 1 cup (236.59 ml) Fresh pea shoots

Instructions
 

  • Bring chicken broth to simmer in large saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and cover to keep warm.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 Tbsp. butter with olive oil. Add shallots and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add rice and cooking, stirring constantly until rice is well coated with butter, about 1 minute. Add wine and stir until wine has evaporated, about 30 seconds. Add 1 ladle of warm chicken stock and simmer, stirring regularly, until absorbed. Add remaining broth 1 ladle-full at a time, allowing broth to be completely absorbed before adding more and stirring frequently until rice is creamy and tender, about 30 minutes. (Do a taste test of rice as you near the end of the chicken broth).
  • When rice is ready, stir in cheese and 1/2 Tbsp. butter. Stir in a hand-full of pea shoots and cook, stirring, until they wilt. Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest. Season risotto with salt and pepper. Taste test and add more lemon juice and/or zest, to taste. Transfer to bowl and serve topped with fresh pea shoots.

Notes

Be sure to read the "Cook's Notes" in the original post, for more tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!
Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Author: Jennifer
Calories: 467kcal, Carbohydrates: 62g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 1204mg, Potassium: 291mg, Fiber: 3g, Vitamin A: 595IU, Vitamin C: 59.2mg, Calcium: 211mg, Iron: 3.9mg
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