finding time for cooking

for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

  • Recipes By Type
    • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Goodies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes & Veggies
    • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
    • Snacks
    • Full Recipe Index
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
    • Best Cocktail Gifts: For the At-Home Bartender or Mixologist
  • Whatcha Need??
    • Foods I’m Obsessed With
    • 30 Minutes or Less…for the Time-Challenged Cook
    • What Bread To Make (Based on Your Time)
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Super Healthy
    • Cooking for One
    • Soup
    • Unleavened Bread Recipes
  • About Me & More
    • Get In Touch!
    • How-Tos
    • Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With
    • Food and Travel—Two of My Favorite Things
    • Bunion Surgery Recovery Tips
    • Tips for Liver Detox / Gut Health Protocol

Risotto Primavera

May 3, 2015

This recipe is the perfect blend of hearty winter fare and bright spring veggies…

Risotto Primavera

It’s kind of weird that I’ve never made a risotto primavera, given my love of risotto. But when I was home for Passover this year, we were trying to come up with a delicious side dish and my mom mentioned risotto. We thought about all the veggies we had, and all the fresh herbs, and I decided that it was the perfect idea.

kansas lilacs

I’ve said this a million times, but people always think risotto is so difficult. But it’s not! It just needs a little TLC…you can’t rush it, but 90% of risotto is in gently stirring. You get too rough with it, try to turn the heat way up to rush it, and that’s when things go south.

Plan for an hour. But it’s an hour of stirring, drinking wine, talking to guests—it’s the perfect dinner party dish.

risotto primavera minced herbs

risotto primavera onions diced

risotto primavera carrots diced

risotto primavera asparagus diced

Prep your spring veggies…we had asparagus and carrot on hand for the additions. Spring peas would be amazing, and zucchini or squash would be great as well. Go ahead and mince up your fresh herbs and set aside.

Dice the onions, which will go in your risotto starter.

You can go ahead and flash-saute your veggies ahead of time, or do it while you’re stirring your risotto. Just saute with about a tablespoon of olive oil for 3-5 minutes, just to get them to soften a little bit but retain their crunch.

risotto primavera arborio rice

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the chicken broth and water and bring to a simmer (not a boil). Keep on low while the risotto cooks.

Set a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of the butter to it. Once it’s melted, add the garlic and diced onion, and cook just until fragrant, for about a minute. Then add the rice to the pan, stirring to coat it with the butter, then keep cooking for about 3 minutes, stirring frequently. The grains will start to get translucent around the edges.

risotto primavera arborio rice wine

The most fun part…pour the wine in so it gets all sizzly and steamy. Cook, stirring constantly, until it’s fully absorbed (a couple minutes).

risotto primavera arborio rice stock

Now we get cozy with our steaming broth…

risotto primavera arborio rice cooking

Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir a ladleful of the hot broth into the rice. Continue stirring the rice gently but constantly until it has been absorbed, then continue this process—add a ladleful of broth, stir until it’s fully absorbed, and repeat until the stock is gone.

Have a glass of wine. Chat with your guests. Have another glass of wine.

risotto primavera arborio rice cooking2

When you stir in the last small ladleful, don’t let it absorb all the way (or it can get glue-y). Stir consistently—not every second and not too roughly, but do keep stirring pretty much the entire time. This whole process should take about 30 minutes.

risotto primavera rice veggies 2

When you add the last ladle of stock, add your crisp but sauteed veggies as well. Stir for another minute.

Risotto Primavera with herbs done

Risotto Primavera with herbs

Risotto Primavera done

Then add the minced herbs and half of your parmesan cheese.

risotto primavera parmesan

Cook for another minute or two, then remove from the heat and add the rest of the parmesan and the rest of the butter. Stir until just combined, then leave it alone.

risotto primavera parmesan butter

Et voila.

Risotto Primavera finished

Serve right away, and feel free to garnish with some extra herbs and parmesan. Enjoy the springtime explosion happening in your mouth.

Risotto Primavera

  • 1½ tablespoons of olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 of a yellow onion, diced
  • 5 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups of water
  • 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 cloves of minced garlic
  • 2 cups of Arborio rice
  • 1 cup of dry white wine
  • 2 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)
  • A handful of fresh minced herbs (we used rosemary, sage, & tarragon)
  • Fresh-ground salt & pepper
  • Young asparagus (thin, not the fat ones), carrots, and any other veggies you want to use (English peas would be great, we just didn’t have any)

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the chicken broth and water and bring to a simmer (not a boil). You can go ahead and flash-saute your veggies as well—just saute with about a tablespoon of olive oil for 3-5 minutes, just to get them to soften a little bit but retain their crunch.

Add 2 tablespoons of the butter to a Dutch oven or large saucepan set over medium heat. Once melted, add the garlic and diced onion, and cook just until fragrant, about a minute. Add the rice to the pan, stirring to coat. Cook, stirring frequently for about 3 minutes, until the grains are translucent around the edges. Pour the wine in and cook, stirring constantly, until fully absorbed (a couple minutes).

Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir a ladleful of the hot broth into the rice. Continue stirring the rice gently but constantly until it has been absorbed, then continue this process—add a ladleful of broth, stir until it’s fully absorbed, and repeat until the stock is gone. When you stir in the last small ladleful, don’t let it absorb all the way (or it can get glue-y). Stir consistently—not every second and not too roughly, but do keep stirring pretty much the entire time. This whole process should take about 30 minutes.

When you add the last ladle of broth in, add the crisp but sauteed veggies as well. Stir for a minute, then remove from heat and stir in most of the parmesan and the fresh herbs, as well as the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and garnish with the remaining parmesan and some more herbs if you’d like. Serve immediately.

Leave a Comment CATEGORIES // Recipe Experimentation

« Healthy Apple Muffins with Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
Easy, Awesome Challah Bread »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

Follow Along!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent IG Adventures!

It's taken me a long time to find the perfect clas It's taken me a long time to find the perfect classic shortbread recipe, but after a few tiny tweaks, this one is a winner! And even better?? I can whip the dough up in the food processor (or stand mixer, if you prefer) in like 5 minutes.

To get the full recipe, tap the link in my IG bio & click on this picture!
#shortbread #shortbreadcookies #bakingfromscratch #shortbreadbiscuits
Anyone who knows me know that travel + pastries is Anyone who knows me know that travel + pastries is one of my favorite combos. So when I was in Finland a couple months ago, I obvs couldn't resist eating an insane amount of their traditional cinnamon buns (called korvapuusti, or "little ear buns"). 

And a few days after I got home, I needed some comfort food, so decided to recreate them for myself...these Finnish cinnamon rolls are heavily spiced with cardamom, chewier and denser, and super easy to make! 

Tap the link in my IG bio (@onegirlwholeworld) & click on this photo to get the whole recipe & shaping technique!
#korvapuusti #finnishfood #cinnamonbuns #visitfinland
I am OBSESSED with these double chocolate peanut b I am OBSESSED with these double chocolate peanut butter brownies. They are a total crowdpleaser, and can even be made gluten-free if desired!

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to get the full recipe...
#chocolatepeanutbutter #brownierecipe #peanutbutter #chocaholic
I've got a weird & delightful one comin' at ya tod I've got a weird & delightful one comin' at ya today. Some of you may think I'm crazy. But this citrus cardamom coffee spritzer is refreshing & unique, a fascinating twist on an iced cardamom coffee. 

Plus, I've got an extra oleato (shaken with olive oil) version...get the recipe by tapping on the link in my IG bio & choosing this photo! 

#cardamom #icedcoffee #spritzer #citrusrecipes
If you're looking for a unique drink that practica If you're looking for a unique drink that practically shouts "SPRING!", this lemon curd gin cocktail 🍋 has you covered...it's a twist on a classic gin sour (or like a gin sour and a flip cocktail had a baby), and is the perfect combo of bright, creamy, tart, and sweet! It's also a great way to use up leftover lemon curd from your Easter or Passover baking...

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking
#lemoncurd #springcocktails #gincocktails #cocktailrecipes
These delicious savory rosemary parmesan shortbrea These delicious savory rosemary parmesan shortbreads are so pretty & spring-y...a great appetizer option any time of year, including the Days of Unleaved Bread, wedding or baby showers, or Mother’s Day brunch!

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo to get the recipe! 
#shortbread #unleavenedbread #appetizers #bakingfromscratch
A silky & tart lime curd that's perfect for spring A silky & tart lime curd that's perfect for spring...and only takes 10 minutes to make! Pile it on pavlova, slather it on crepes, or just dip shortbread cookies in it (like I did last week). 

Tap the link in my IG bio & choose this photo get the recipe!
#limecurd #limerecipes #limelove #citrusrecipes
As someone who's never been the biggest fan of sto As someone who's never been the biggest fan of storebought hummus, I was stoked to find what I believe is the BEST homemade hummus recipe...with an easy extra step that's a great hack for getting it extra creamy! 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking
#hummus #hummusrecipe #kitchenhacks
While I eagerly await warmer weather, I snuck in o While I eagerly await warmer weather, I snuck in one last winter cocktail...here's some Sage Advice! It's a winter-y version of a whiskey sour bringing both cinnamon and sage, and then skirting the line of daiquiri with the substitution of lime juice for the traditional lemon. 

Tap the link in my IG bio & pick this photo to get the recipe! --> @findingtimeforcooking
#cocktailrecipe #bourbon #bourboncocktails #whiskeysour
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Popular Posts

Baked Fontina Pasta with Brussels Sprouts & Sage Breadcrumbs

15+ Amazing Holiday Dessert Recipes

A Different Take on Poinsettia Punch (Berry, Lemon, & Spice Gin Cocktail)

The Most Addictive, Indulgent-Feeling Dark Chocolate Banana “Nice Cream”

A Refreshing Basil Gin Smash

Recent Posts

  • The Absolute Best, Easiest Classic Shortbread (Pla…
  • Traditional Finnish Cinnamon Buns (Korvapuusti)
  • Buckeye Brownies a.k.a. Layered Peanut Butter Brow…

Categories

  • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
  • Bread Recipes
  • Breakfast Goodies
  • Cooking for One
  • Desserts
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
  • Eating Out
  • Family Secret Recipes
  • Food-Related Miscellany
  • Foods I'm Obsessed With
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Go-To Recipes
  • How-Tos
  • Kitchen Gear
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe Experimentation
  • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
  • Side Dishes & Veggies
  • Snacks
  • Soup
  • Super Healthy
  • Travel and Food
  • Uncategorized

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Copyright & Terms of Use

Copyright 2023 Finding Time For Cooking

0 shares