This recipe is for those of you that are looking for a bit more labor intensive, slightly more challenging dinner. My boyfriend and I absolutely love a good risotto! There is just so much flavor and creaminess that comes through in the rice that you don't need much else to go with the dish. We like to keep it simple for the topping to really let the rice shine! I am warning you, there is a lot of flavor in this dish but we find it so so delicious and you won't regret all of the work you put in to it!
Servings: 2 (hearty servings) or 4 (small servings)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups long grain white rice (usually use arborio rice or a short grain rice for a more creamy and dense risotto but I only had white rice on hand)
-3/4 cup mushrooms, very finely chopped
-1/2 medium white onion, finely chopped
1/2 package of asparagus, trimmed and cut in half
-5 cups vegetable broth (I used better than bullion)
-1 cup dry red wine (usually use a dry white wine but I only had red wine on hand)
-1 and 1/2 tbsp vegan butter
-1 tbsp olive oil
-1 tsp nutritional yeast
-1 tsp minced garlic, about one clove
-Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
1. Heat a fairly large pan over medium-high to high heat and melt the butter
2. Saute the garlic, onion, and mushrooms until onion is translucent
3. Add in the rice and toast slightly
4. Add in the wine and stir until rice has soaked it up
5. Add in the vegetable broth 1/2 cup at a time. Wait about 2 or so minutes to add each 1/2 cup and wait until the rice soaks up the broth you have added. It will take longer towards the end as the rice isn't soaking up as much of the liquid.
6. After all of the broth has been added, make sure the rice is fully cooked. If it isn't, then you may need to add more broth until the rice is cooked through
7. Remove from heat and add in the nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper to taste.
8. In a separate pan over medium-high heat pour the olive oil and place the asparagus in it. Season with salt and pepper to taste
9. Saute the asparagus for about 8-10 minutes, tossing occasionally
10. Assemble with a bed of the risotto topped with asparagus
11. Enjoy!
Be sure to let me know if you try this recipe!