Risotto Primavera

From the book The Garden-Fresh Vegetable Cookbook by Andrea Chesman

Ingredients

	8	asparagus spears, cut into 2-inch lengths
	1	cup fresh peas in their pods (snow or sugar snap)
	4	carrots (baby, spring, or storage), cut into narrow spears
	2	cups baby spinach or young arugula
	5½	cups high-quality vegetable or chicken broth
	½	cup dry white wine
	2	Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
	2	shallots, minced
	2	cups uncooked arborio rice
	~	Salt and freshly ground black pepper
	¼	cup chopped fresh chives
	¼	cup chopped fresh basil or sun-dried tomatoes

Steps

1. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus, peas, and carrots; boil for 20 seconds. Stir in the spinach, then immediately drain. The vegetables should be barely cooked.
2. Heat the broth and wine to simmering in a medium-size saucepan.
3. Heat the oil over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add the shallots and rice and toss to coat with the oil. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, until the rice appears toasted.
4. Add 1 cup of the simmering broth to the rice. Stir until the liquid is mostly absorbed. Continue adding more broth, 1 cup at a time, cooking and stirring as the liquid is absorbed. It will take a total of 20 to 30 minutes for the liquid to be absorbed and the rice to become tender and creamy.
5. Stir in the vegetables and allow them to heat through. Stir in the chives and basil. Season generously to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

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