Champagne Risotto with Asparagus and Snow Peas (vegetarian)

It’s Valentine’s Day on Sunday.

If you rolled your eyes as you read that, this post is for you my friend.

I know, another commercial day where we are forced to buy over priced flowers BLAH BLAH BLAH…..I’ve heard it all before.

I’m just going to jump out on a limb and state an observation from among my fellow middle-age, too weary and too busy friends who are raising kids right now.

No-one I know is suffering from TOO MUCH ROMANCE.

It’s been a while since a girlfriend has complained to me over coffee that her husband is JUST ALWAYS BUYING FLOWERS and holding her hand while they watch TV and enough already!

It’s rare that I hear my peers whingeing about TOO MUCH TIME TOGETHER, talking and dreaming over a meal and candles.

I could count on one hand the people I know who are getting this right and balancing home/parent/work life with a side of romance and spontaneity thrown in.

Back to Valentine’s Day.

Half the hard work has been done for you my friend.  The day is set aside. It even falls on a weekend this time! Flowers and cards and small gift ideas are available every where you look. It’s going to be hard NOT to pick up a card and your partners favourite chocolate. Not that I recommend service station flowers, but if that is your only option…JUST DO SOMETHING.

It doesn’t have to be big or expensive or flashy.

And those little cherubs you are so busy trying to raise right?

They’re watching and listening…..ALL THE TIME. Every short word, eye roll, huff and puff and tense discussion, they don’t miss any of it.

So let’s change it up a little and show them that even THEIR mum and dad still actually love each other and it’s a good idea to make a fuss about the other person every now and then.

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This Champagne Risotto is not a mid-week meal. You are not supposed to make this while juggling tantrums, baths and homework.

This one is designed to be made after the kids are in bed, or are otherwise preoccupied.

Start with opening the champagne and pouring yourself and your partner a glass. Light a candle, turn on Norah Jones and if you are cooking, make sure there is a stool or chair nearby for your partner to sit and chat while you stir.

It’s not hard, it just takes a little patience. A bit like a good relationship really. And the results are worth it. It tastes just beautiful, especially with a glass of your favourite wine and sitting beside your favourite person.

The original recipe is from delicious. cookbook Simply the Best by Valli Little.

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Champagne Risotto with Asparagus and Snow Peas (vegetarian)

  • Prep Time: 5m
  • Cook Time: 30m
  • Total Time: 35m

Ingredients

  • 30 grams unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 leek, trimmed, washed and finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 300 grams arborio rice (approx 1 cup)
  • 1 cup Champagne (or white wine)
  • 1 liter (4 cups) chicken or vegetable stock, heated
  • 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends chopped off, then chopped into small pieces
  • a handful of snow peas, top and tailed and finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated, plus extra to serve
  • 2 tablespoons mascarpone
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley to serve

Method

  1. Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a low heat.
  2. Add the leek and cook gently until soft.
  3. Add garlic and cook further for 1 minute.
  4. Add rice and stir to coat the grains.
  5. Increase the heat to medium and add the Champagne, then simmer for 1-2 minutes till almost all the liquid has evaporated.
  6. Stir in the stock one ladleful at a time, allowing each to be absorbed before adding the next. This will take about 20-30 minutes. Test that the rice is cooked, it should have a slight bite, but not be chalky.
  7. Towards the end, stir through the asparagus and snow peas and allow them to soften slightly.
  8. Stir through the parmesan and mascarpone.
  9. Serve sprinkled with finely chopped parsley and more parmesan cheese and ground pepper.

 

 

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