This simple pea and mint risotto is perfect for spring, made with arborio rice, flavoured with butter, stock, garlic and parmesan and brightened with fresh mint, garden peas and sugar snap peas. It's easy to make and tastes as fresh as it looks.
Place the mint and ½ tsp salt in a mortar and pound into a coarse paste. You can use a food processor instead, if you have a small bowl fitting.
Add the olive oil and mix.
Cook the vegetables
Get a bowl of very cold water ready.
Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to bring to a boil.
Add the peas and sugar snaps, cook for 1-2 minutes.
Drain and plunge straight into the cold water. Drain again once the veggies are cold. This will keep them vibrant green.
Make the risotto
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan on low heat.
Add the onion, and sweat for 3 minutes until translucent.
Add the garlic, rice and a pinch of salt and pepper and stir for one minute until glossy.
Add a ladleful of the stock, stir and bring to the boil then turn down to a low simmer. It’s important it doesn’t boil as you want the stock to be absorbed by the rice, rather than evaporate.
Stir until the liquid is absorbed, then add another ladleful and repeat this process until the rice is tender. This should take about 20 minutes and you may not need all of the stock.
When you’re happy with the texture of your rice, add the peas and sugar snap peas, mint paste and grated parmesan to the risotto. Mix through.
If the risotto is too thick, add a little hot water or remaining stock.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve
Serve the risotto to bowls and top with a squeeze of lemon, dollop of crème fraîche, and scattering of watercress.