This delicious lemon risotto is a wonderful meatless main dish, or enjoy it as a 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.

I love the fresh flavour that pea shoots 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!

Ingredients and substitutions

A few notes about the key ingredients …

Arborio Rice – arborio is classic risotto rice, but Carnaroli is another favourite. Either one would be fine here.

Lemons – regular or Meyer lemons would be fine to use for this lemon risotto.

White Wine – if you don’t have or prefer not to use white wine, simply replace with water.

Recipe tips!

  • Rinsing rice may be popular these days, but you never want to rinse or wash risotto rice. Rinsing the rice for risotto will wash away the starches needed to create a creamy risotto.
  • Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to constantly stir risotto. That said, you do want to stir regularly. Stirring helps to release the starches in the rice and builds the creamy texture that risotto is known for. Aim for stirring the risotto every 30-45 seconds.
  • Making risotto does call for a bit of patience. Make sure that the broth is absorbed before adding more. Don’t rush the process.
  • 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.

Making ahead and storing

Risotto is always enjoyed freshly cooked so making ahead isn’t recommended.

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth to loosen it up, if needed.

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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 3 ratings
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 large shallots, finely diced
  • 1 1/2 cups arborio rice, or Carnaroli rice
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 Tablespoon butter, for finishing
  • 1 cup 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, add the butter and olive oil. When the butter has melted, add the shallots and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring constantly until rice is well coated with butter, about 1 minute. Add the wine and stir until the wine has evaporated, about 30 seconds. Add a ladle of the warm chicken stock to the skillet and simmer, stirring regularly (every 30-45 seconds or so), until the liquid is fully absorbed. Add remaining broth, a ladle-full at a time, allowing the 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 handful 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 a bowl and serve topped with fresh pea shoots.

Notes

Tips!
Rinsing rice may be popular these days, but you never want to rinse or wash risotto rice. Rinsing the rice for risotto will wash away the starches needed to create a creamy risotto.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to constantly stir risotto. That said, you do want to stir regularly. Stirring helps to release the starches in the rice and builds the creamy texture that risotto is known for. Aim for stirring the risotto every 30-45 seconds.
Making risotto does call for a bit of patience. Make sure that the broth is absorbed before adding more. Don’t rush the process.
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.
Be sure to read the notes above this Recipe Card for more tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!
Cuisine: American, Canadian
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Author: Jennifer Maloney
Serving: 1serving, 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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