Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Lemon Risotto with Peas, Proms and a Bake Sale



We've had a few extremely busy weeks and I feel like a broken record repeating it, but it really has been a wild ride here. Between senior proms, my surgery, soccer tryouts and various other functions, it seems almost impossible to find any time in the kitchen, nonetheless take pictures or write something. I might as well apologize already in advance, because until the middle of June I don't see it getting any better. 

To get back to the Proms though, both of them were a rousing success. She looked beautiful to her father and I (and we might be a tiny bit biased on this) and made us both choke up when we realized that our little girl is not so little anymore. The second prom which she attended with her best friend really hit us hard, they all looked so grown up and the little twinge I've been getting in my stomach about her leaving us soon hasn't let up and reality is starting to set in more with each day. Either way, I promised you all a picture, so here it is. Our daughter is the one in the pink dress which fit her personality perfectly and the girl in the yellow is her best friend.


The second thing on my agenda today is to let you all know that I'm participating in an online bake-sale that Becky from "Baking and Cooking, A Tale of Two Loves" is hosting on May 2nd. The bake-sale is going to be in the format of a silent auction and you can bid on some great goodies. Becky is hoping to raise money for a very worthy cause: Relay for Life, that will benefit the American Cancer Society and which she is also participating in. My contribution for this auction will be my Nutella Chocolate Cookies. The highest bidder will be able to pick their choice of bittersweet, semisweet, milk chocolate or white chocolate chips to customize the cookies to their taste. I hope you'll hop on over and check out all of the goodies up for auction and support a great cause that is very near and dear to my heart as well. My own daughter is actually participating in one of the Relay's for Life in our home state and will be walking in honor of her Opa, my dad, who passed away from cancer a few years ago.

Trying to bring this hodge podge of a blog post back to food isn't going to be very easy or eloquently, but here it goes, just pretend I'm doing a fine job. This Lemon Risotto with Peas has been in my recipe files for several years and it truly is perfect for, well Spring. I found this recipe in a Light and Tasty Magazine and besides the fact that it is actually somewhat healthy, it also tastes great. If you've ever cooked a risotto, you know that they are not hard, but they do take a little bit time and quite some stirring. This risotto has a wonderful bright taste from additions of white wine, lemon juice and lemon zest, but also a creaminess that only a well cooked risotto produces, along with the sweetness of peas and the nuttiness of freshly grated Parmesan. I usually serve this risotto alongside grilled salmon, but chicken or even lamb are just as tasty. If you enjoy a good risotto with a nice lemony flavor this is definitely a great recipe to try.


Lemon Risotto with Peas
~makes 8 servings~

Ingredients:
5 to 5 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups uncooked Arborio rice
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup white wine
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

Directions:
In a medium saucepan, heat broth and keep warm.

In a large nonstick skilled, saute shallots in butter for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add the rice, thyme and pepper; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Stir in wine and lemon juice. Cook and stir until all of the liquid is absorbed.

Stir in heated broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly. Allow liquid to absorb between additions. Cook just until risotto is creamy and rice is almost tender. Total cooking time is about 20 minutes.

Add the peas, Parmesan cheese and lemon peel; cook and stir until heated through. Serve immediately.

Adapted from: Light and Tasty Magazine

65 comments:

  1. Your daughter is gorgeous in her prom dress! Bringing it back to food, as you say, the risotto looks delicious, I made a bacon and green pea risotto that looked similar and tasted as good as yours did I'm sure. I know what you mean about being too busy!

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  2. Deine Tochter sieht so huebsch aus. Ich haette auch Traenen in den Augen gehabt. You must be so proud.
    Ich habe die Nutella cookies bestimmt schon 4 mal gebacken. Die sind soo gut.

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  3. A very nice way to start by morning. Your daughter looks stunning!!! I remember my own daughters grad 5 years ago just like it was yesterday!And the risotto one of my favourite Spring dishes! I want to try it with fiddleheads:D

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  4. What a beautiful dress your daughter wore. They all looked so good in that photo. It's hard to see our babies grow up!

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  5. I'm planning to make a chicken recipe in the latest issue of Cook's Country this week, and this would be a GREAT side! Michael won't eat peas...think I could leave them out without ruining the dish? Your daughter looks so PRETTY in her prom dress, BTW!!

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  6. Susi, your daughter looks beautiful!! What an absolutely gorgeous dress. Thank you for sharing the pic with us. Your risotto also looks gorgeous! Creamy and delicious. I hope you have a wonderful Easter!

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  7. Thanks for sharing the picture of your beautiful daughter in her gorgeous prom gown. I hope she doesn't mind. I love that dress!

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  8. What a great spring recipe. Looks delicious.

    Your daughter is absolutely adorable!! I LOVE how unique and 'wild' her dress is. Gorgeous! Seems like just yesterday I was that age. Time really flies by, it'd be nice if we could just slow it down as we liked. :)

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  9. Your daughter is just gorgeous! The yellow dress looks great on her. :)

    Oh Susi this risotto is calling my name. I LOVE risotto and I adore peas. I'm going to try this. :)

    So glad you're going to be a part of the bake sale too!

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  10. Roquie, thanks and yes, the picture is daughter approved. I would never post anything she is objecting to :o)

    Lindsey, thank you, my daughter is actually the one wearing the pink dress and the girl in the yellow is her best friend, even though she is almost like a daughter too :o)

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  11. Your daughter, and her friends, are a gorgeous group of young adults! I love your daughter's prom dress, so pretty and so fun (not too grown up).

    I'm always a fan of risotto and love this spring version.

    Sounds like a busy time for you. Hang in there!

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  12. Nice picture of your daughter and her best friend...lovely dresses. This risotto with peas all lemony not only looks perfect sounds delicious, so right for the Spring. Hope you are having a great week Susi :-)

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  13. 1. I've seen so many blogs recently with very busy people who haven't posted much (like me!). Don't worry. We all seem to be in the same boat.
    2. I love risotto. This recipe looks amazing!
    3. Um, I LOVE your daughter's dress. It's great!

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  14. Susi,

    I made Lemon Rissoto,too with the scallops,and mine is a littttle bit different. I'll be posting it soon. Yours looks very good, especially wit the peas.

    Your duaghter looks very pretty & grown up in her Prom Dress. My grandaughter is the same age as your daughter, and I'm going to see her tomorrow, and see her prom dress. She'll be going to college in the fall, so then things really change.

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  15. Your daughter looks gorgeous...what a fabulous dress! My youngest will go to his junior prom in a couple weeks...sniff, sniff...

    What a wonderful, spring risotto...it's been too long (or maybe I've been too lazy) since I've made risotto. You've reminded me that I need to pick up some Arborio rice and just.do.it!

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  16. Mmmmm, I adore peas! This risotto sounds wonderful, I especially love the addition of the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon rind, what a delicious combination!

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  17. Your daughter is so pretty! And her dress is seriously fantastic.

    I love the lemon you've been featuring recently!

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  18. Love the colour of your daughter`s dress!
    This dish looks so enchanting, so spring like! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Your daughter is lovely, you aren't biassed at all! Your risotto looks lovely and light too - but not quite in the same way as your daughter! ;)

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  20. Your daughter is beautiful! Love the pink dress :)! This risotto sounds so simple, and I love the simplcity of it allowing the ingredients to shine!

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  21. Hot stuff! Is that cheetah print I see peeping through at the bottom? That may be the coolest prom dress ever. Well done!

    I've bookmarked this lovely recipe! It looks so fresh and tasty. Risotto is one of my hubby's top five dishes so this will definitely make an appearance on our table soon. Thanks so much for sharing :)

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  22. As a high school teacher, I love prom :) I drag my husband there for chaperone date night every year! Your daughter looks so pretty! And this risotto looks delicious!

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  23. The flavours in your risotto slound pefect together! Glad you liked my bread. ;-)

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  24. Hi Susi, your risotto looks perfect. The photo tells it all for me.

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  25. You daughter looks beautiful! Man, prom was so much fun - I miss those days! Your lemon risotto looks delicious as well. Love the flavors in this dish as well. I bet it has a wonderful citrus aroma. Thanks for sharing!

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  26. Susi-A few things I would like to mention; first-your daughter looks so beautiful(and is beautiful) in her prom dress that does reflect her personality and goes perfect with her skin tones, just like her best friend' gown with hers.
    Elegant and happy couples!

    second-I'm so happy to see that you participated in the bake sale as well, so important for a tremendous cause that affects so many people.

    third-(really first) I need a bowl of your lovely, simple and perfect risotto which Lora makes a lot. Beautiful presentation, as well!

    yes, there is a fourth:
    Please stop by my blog, to share the Tag Game...and yes, I do have your name on the list, and I don't mean to inconvenience you to join in, only if you can. I received this Tag, Game Plan from a blogger in Hungary, and it took me forever to get all this linking...since I can't cook for Easter, I compiled my previous posts (which by the way is how you are asked to do)
    xoxo

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  27. If I'm in a hurry and don't feel like going through the whole risotto process, I make this with orzo instead! So good.

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  28. I know what you mean about being so busy. I have had a non-stop craziness since the beginning of the year. But I'm really glad you found the time to post about this risotto. Lemon risotto is so "spring"!

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  29. lovely picture
    delicious looking risotto must be aromatic as well

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  30. Mmmm lemon risotto! Love the addition of peas! Your daughter's dress is beautiful too... looks like she had a great night!

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  31. That risotto with peas is perfect for spring- it won't be long now before peas are ready to pick! That's a lovely prom picture of your daughter and her friends. Beautiful! They grow up so fast, don't they? :)

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  32. What a lovely young woman. I imagine she has your smile. The risotto looks really wonderful and I'd love to give it a try. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  33. Your risotto looks lovely Susi - fresh and inviting. There is nothing quite like new season peas - fresh from the pod. One of the most wonderful delights of a summer vegetable garden.

    Wow - your daughter is blossoming into a beautiful young woman. Her dress is stunning !

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  34. I love the flavors in your risotto Susi! So light and Spring-like and I know delicious. Your daughter is gorgeous and her dress is beautiful!

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  35. Yay!!!! I've been waiting for photos!!! What a gorgeous dress. Both girls look so lovely, and yes, so grown up. I'm only a few years behind you and I'm already feeling the impending doom of my son going off to college. Just a few years ago he was a little toddler and I was the center of his world. Ahhh... how I miss that! (well... sometimes!!) ;)

    As for the risotto... wow!! the peas make is so fresh. I'm loving this one!

    Please let the kids know how wonderful they looked, and thanks for the pics!

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  36. Dear Susi,
    I know that very feeling you have in your stomach. Your daughter is just beautiful. It's so hard to believe, isn't it? My oldest son finally decided where he'll be going to college in the fall, and I'm still trying to digest the fact that he'll be gone before we know it. When you have your first baby they all say it goes by so fast and they're so right! I feel sort of stunned by it all.
    :) Jane

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  37. How lovely! I remember those days. My children were gone before I knew it, and now they are wonderful adults. Isn't life terrific!

    Love the risotto too. Light and delicious. :)

    Kristi

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  38. This dish sounds amazing! And your daughter looks BEAUTIFUL! Oh, prom! What memories! :D

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  39. You have been busy from the sound of things!
    This risotto looks fantastic...I still haven't attempted making risotto at home. The stirring makes me nervous! But I need to get on it because I love it! These flavors sound so bright and yummy.

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  40. Your daughter looks beautiful! What a fun dress :)

    The risotto looks great too. It's perfect for Spring! Now, if only Spring would show up in NY we would be all set :)

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  41. Thanks for the recipe! I made this Tuesday night, and it was awesome! I shared it on my blog and gave a link back to your page!

    I only wish my photo turned out as gorgeous as yours!

    - Maggie

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  42. Hi Susi, Your daughter is beautiful and both couples are just so handsome. Congratulations! I have two grown daughters and I remember way back when they went to the prom. I know how you felt.

    It's so funny but I made risotto with peas and shrimp recently also. I just love risotto and this time of the year it's delicious with peas. Oh so good......!!!!


    Joanne

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  43. This is delicious! I added some red chillies and it was just perfect!

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  44. your daughter is so beautiful. the pink dress is absolutely amazing.
    the risotto looks great, such a comforting dish.
    thanks fro sharing Susi,
    Happy Mothers Day

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  45. How is it that you have a daughter going to prom when you can't be more than 25 yourself?! Miracles.

    The risotto is perfection!

    Your daughter is gorgeous:)

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  46. Hi Susi! Dropped by to say I miss you and hope all is well! xoxo

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  47. Hi, hope you are doing ok? Miss you.

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  48. This risotto looks scrumptious. I like the peas with it, keep is light.

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  49. Susi this risotto looks deliciousand perfect,love the presentation,thank for the awesome recipes,cariños y abrazos.

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  50. you ok Susi ? Not seen you around in a while. Hope all is well and sending you our love x

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  51. Missing you, Susi. I hope all is well and you are feeling well. Let us know how you are. hugs.

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  52. Hallo Susi, wollte mal hoeren wie Dein Sommer war. Hoffe doch, dass es Dir und Deiner Familie gut geht. Liebste Gruesse, Kirsten.

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  53. Dear Susi,
    Just checking in to see how your summer's going. I hope you are doing well and just taking a well deserved break from your blog. Miss you!
    :) Jane

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  54. I love your preparation of the risotto with peas. Looks awesome and makes me drool. Your daughter is very beautiful and she look stunning and elegant in that lovely red gown.

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  55. Susi,
    Just checking up on you and hoping all is well. Will miss your Halloween goodies, unless you are going to surprise us with something. You have a beautiful family, understand needing to give them all your attention.
    -Gina-

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  56. I just wanted to say you've been missed...hope all is well!

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  57. As well as you daughter! I will be an emotional wreck when my kids are up!

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  58. LOL one more! I was wondering why the proms were in Feb!!! I see you took a nice break as well. I am so behind on blogs. Yours is def a priority!!

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  59. Sommer, thank you. :o) My daughter has been in college for several months now and not a day goes by when I don't miss her.
    My blog break unfortunately has been waaay too long, but we've had some quite unexpected medical emergencies over the last several months and family will always come first. I'm hoping that my absence won't be too much longer, but then again I've learned over the last few months to live each day to its fullest and don't make plans LOL

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  60. Loved this dish! I am always in the mood for risotto. I've been a very picky eater lately due to my pregnancy, but I found this recipe to be just right! I followed the instructions, but my frozen peas needed to be cooked ahead of time. I also added a bit more lemon juice, but that is simply my preference. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and your heartfelt blog. Best of luck!

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  61. This looks gorgeous!!! I'm going to give it a try :)

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    ReplyDelete

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