Growing Chefs! Ontario Sunflower Risotto

Sunflower Risotto

Risotto is an amazing rice dish that is cooked gently with stock to infuse every last grain of rice with delicious flavor!
Difficulty
Beginner
Yield
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
1 shallot1 garlic clove2 tablespoons butter1 tablespoon grapeseed oil1 1/2 cups Arborio rice3 cups chicken stock1/2 cup sunflower pesto1 cup peas1 cup baby spinach1/2 cup parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish) salt to taste pepper to taste
Equipment
knife or safe choppercutting boardmeasuring cupsmeasuring spoonsladlerasppeelermedium frying panmedium potwooden spoonscissorsgratertasting spoonsdish towel

Get Organized!

Gather your mise en place; get together all of the equipment needed for the recipe and gather your ingredients.

Get Prepped!

Cut the shallot in half from root to tip, and peel off the outer skin. Place the flat side down on the cutting board and slice horizontally from the top to the root, but keep the root intact. Then, slice vertically from the root to the top, again keeping the root intact. Finally, slice across the shallot to make fine dice.
Peel the garlic and mince using the rasp.
Grate the parmesan. Then use a peeler to peel shaving of parmesan and reserve to the side for garnish.
Measure out the butter, oil, rice, stock, spinach, and peas.

Get Cooking!

Bring the stock to a gentle simmer in the medium pot.
In the frying pan, add the butter and oil and place over medium heat. Once the butter has melted add the shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallot becomes translucent, about 2 – 3 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 more minute.
Add the rice and stir, cook the rice until it becomes slightly toasted and has an almost nutty smell, about 3 minutes.
Add a couple ladles of the stock, enough to just cover the rice, and give the rice a stir. Simmer the rice in the stock until most of the liquid has been absorbed, then add another ladle. Repeat until all the stock has been added to the pan. Taste the rice, and if it is still crunchy add a ladle of water. Cook until the rice is al dente.
Stir in the parmesan and peas, season with salt, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Add the spinach and just stir until combined before serving immediately. Garnish with shaved parmesan.