Arborio rice with lemon zest and juice, white wine, parmesan and mint, this lemon risotto is a very easy Italian rice dish and makes a vibrant side dish or vegetarian meal.
My family and I love all types of foods. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, and my husband and kids are used to seeing new things on the dinner table. Of course, they don’t always eat what I serve them, even if they are delicious. Despite these setbacks and disappointments, I keep moving forward (Remember, “Meet the Robinson’s?”).
As Persians, we eat fluffy basmati rice religiously. So I was a little apprehensive to introduce Italian risotto to the family. What would they think?
Why this recipe is so awesome
Risotto is an Italian dish made with arborio rice, a very short grain rice. It is typically made slowly in a pan with the addition of parmesan cheese, onions and white wine. You can add any variety of vegetables and flavors to make your own unique risotto.
If you are not familiar with the varieties of rice, let’s have a brief lesson. The shorter the rice grain, the more starch it has. The more starch it has, the more “sticky” it becomes when cooked. Now sticky rice has its place. For example, sushi rice is sticky which makes it hold its shape when rolled.
And with risotto, the stickiness adds to the creaminess with the addition of cheese. We Persians prefer long grain rice, like basmati rice. Long grain rice also takes longer to cook than the shorter grains.
This risotto recipe is really unique with its bright lemon flavor, which comes from both the zest and the juice. It makes a wonderful side dish to your roast chicken, pork chops or fish you are serving.
Ingredients you need
- Arborio rice: Risotto is made with short grain arborio rice. There really is no substitute.
- White wine: A dry white wine would be preferred to something fruity.
- Onion
- Garlic
- Lemon: Both the zest and the juice is used in this recipe.
- Butter
- Mint: Fresh mint makes this dish shine. You could use dried mint, but honestly it is just not the same.
- Pecorino cheese
- Pantry staples: chicken broth, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper
Step-by-step directions
1. Risotto starts with the base of sautéd onions and garlic. The arborio rice is then added and toasted up in the sauce pan, instead of being boiled. The toasting of the rice hardens the outside of each rice grain, allowing the rice to slowly absorb moisture without getting soggy or bursting.
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2. White wine is then added and cooked with the rice until the wine has evaporated. Then you slowly add warm chicken stock, one cup at a time, and slowly stir and let the rice absorb the liquid.
Risotto must be nurtured and cooked slowly to create the perfect creamy texture. You don’t want a soggy bowl of slop and call it risotto. Risotto still has the texture of rice, without it being mushy. Creamy without being soggy. By cooking it slowly and adding the stock slowly, you will create the perfect risotto.
3. Once the stock is absorbed and the rice is cooked, you can stir in the butter, cheese, chopped lemons and mint. I do not like too much cheese in my risotto. I want something creamy and smooth and not a gluey mess. So I only use ¼-1/3 cup of cheese. You can add up to ½ cup of parmesan cheese if you prefer more.
Recipe tips and FAQs
If you have never made risotto, this lemon risotto is a great introduction to this creamy Italian rice. You’ll love the touch of lemon and hint of mint in this recipe. Feeling adventurous and want to try some more risotto recipes? Here are a few from to get you to salivate:
- Black Rice Risotto
- Garlic Risotto with Spinach
- Shitake Mushroom Smoked Salmon Risotto
- Spring Leek and Pea Risotto
Lemon Risotto with Mint
Ingredients
- 1 qt chicken broth
- 2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup arborio rice
- Grated zest from one lemon reserve rest of lemon
- ½ cup white wine
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar optional
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter cut into small pieces
- 2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint
- ⅓ cup grated pecorino cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat broth and water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- In a large skillet, over medium-high heat add olive oil.
- When oil is hot, but not smoking, add chopped onions.
- Cook until softened, about 5 minutes, then stir in garlic.
- Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in rice and lemon zest.
- Sauté the rice for 1 to 2 minutes, then stir in wine.
- Cook until wine has evaporated.
- Add in the warmed stock, a few ladles at a time.
- Stir for a minute with each addition, to develop the starch and the creamy texture of the risotto.
- Total cooking time will be about 15-18 minutes. Keep adding stock each time the pan starts to become dry at the edges.
- While the rice cooks peel and remove the membranes from reserved lemon used for zest.
- Finely chop reserved lemon segments.
- Sprinkle lemon pieces with sugar.
- When rice is cooked to al dente, stir in chopped lemon pieces, butter, mint and cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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Written by Laura Bashar
Hi, I’m Laura, a certified professional cook and cookbook author living in San Diego. I have been sharing my family’s favorite recipes inspired from all over the world since 2008. Let’s cook up something fun!
WOW it does looks delicious that is the stock and the risotto and great to hear that you liked it so much. Well done on this challenge. Nice photos also. Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australia.