With thanks to Dr. CaSo for the Twitter suggestion answering: what can I do with my abundant lettuce harvest?
Lettuce risotto? Really? But there were many, many recipes for it. And, it was really delicious. Vanja, the ultimate carnivore, loved it. Alas, you will see, it isn’t as soupy as risotto should be.
I was tickled pink to gather the leek from my garden. I made this about a month ago now, and look at how big that leek is! Actually, I was thrilled with the abundance of fresh greens from my small city lot.
One leek goes a long way. I planted one for every week of the summer; well, one for every week for four months. I love them and find I use about one a week.
Allan Suddaby suggested Lettuce Soup, so I made that at the same time. Yes, our meal began with Lettuce Soup and the main was this Lettuce and Pea Risotto. And…I am still married!
Half of the various leafy greens was for the soup, and half went into this risotto.
I finely shredded the lettuce for the risotto. I don’t grow peas. My space is just too small, but I managed to get the cup or so I needed from the market.
After sautéing the leek and the rice, adding the broth at intervals, when the risotto was almost done, in go the greens for the last little bit.
And the cheese.
The rice was the perfect el dente “doneness”, but the soupy consistency evaporated as fast as I set it on the table to serve. Clearly, I needed more liquid.
To understand what I was going for, look at Kathryn Joel’s asparagus risotto that she prepared for us at our last Edmonton Slow Food Meeting. See that deliciousness in a bowl?
Well, I must admit, mine was also really flavourful. Who knew? Lettuce and pea risotto: nutritious, delicious, and economical. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Well, maybe it does. Remember, the idea came from Dr. CaSo on Twitter. That is what I love about social networking! There would never have been Lettuce and Pea Risotto in our house without it, and maybe with a little tutorial from Kathryn, it will be creamy and lovely second time round. 😉
Lettuce and Pea Risotto Recipe
Ingredients:
- 30-45ml, or 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 leek, finely chopped, greens included
- 350g arborio rice
- 1L organic or homemade chicken stock
- mixed lettuce greens equivalent to two large bunches of romaine
- 200g, or a cup fresh garden peas, shelled
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 50g of butter
- 100g grated fresh Parmesan
Instructions:
- Pick over, wash and finely shred lettuces
- Bring the stock to a boil then turn the heat down to simmering
- Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-based pan and add leek; when it has started to become translucent and soften, add the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds, until just fragrant (do not allow the leek or garlic to brown).
- Add the rice to the pan; stir well with wooden spoon until each grain of rice is coated with oil; pour in first ladle of hot stock
- Stir risotto until stock is absorbed; continue to add the stock at intervals in this manner
- About 15 minutes into cooking time, when rice is almost done (still just a little bit chalky in the middle) add shredded lettuce and peas
- Stir gently to mix the vegetables through the rice; it will seem like you have added far too much lettuce, but it will wilt and give up its juices to the rice
- The risotto is ready when all the liquid has been absorbed, the peas are just tender and the rice is cooked (ideally about 3 minutes after you ve added the lettuce); it should be creamy, not dry
- Season to taste, stir in the knob of butter and the Parmesan and serve immediately
Note: Replacing peas with asparagus tips is also yummy!
Dr. CaSo says
Yeahhhh!!! I am sooooo happy you tried it 🙂 I think I added a bit of cream to mine, at the end, just to make it a tiny bit more liquid. Oh I want to make some, now, after seeing your gorgeous photos 🙂
Valerie says
Dr. CaSo!
Thank you for the inspiration! It was really, really, yummy!
🙂
Valerie
bellini says
I am really enjoying both salad with fresh greens from the farmers market and risotto with seasonal ingredients as well.
Valerie says
Valerie (Bellini)
I think you are a Risotto Queen! I imagine you are making all kinds of seasonal concoctions! I will get better at developing my own ideas now that I understand how incredible almost everything is mixed into a risotto. YUM!
🙂
Valerie
polwig says
That does look amazingly good, why not lettuce. I am glad the meal worked out and you are still married, even though with your cooking and gardening skills you would be really tough replace.
Heavenly Housewife says
I love coming here and seeing all the beautiful things you make with your garden goodies. It’s inspiring. Right now my apples are getting ready to harvest, and my tomatoes are just starting to come up (they are little baby balls right know–yes, they are late bloomers).
*kisses* HH
Valérie says
Lettuce risotto, why not? I make risotto with aragula often. It’s great how your garden makes you get creative in the kitchen!
Kate says
I would never think to add lettuce to risotto.
Angie@Angiesrecipes says
Fresh from your own garden! I must try the lettuce in risotto next time as it looks so tempting and healthy!
Sanjeeta kk says
Have never tried Risotto with lettuce…this one looks so delightful and healthy!
Monet says
What a wonderful way to use lettuce. I’ve never seen or heard of this! Thank you for this lovely post. I’m enjoying it with a strong cup of coffee and bagels rising on the counter. I hope you have a blissful Sunday and an even more wonderful week.