A risotto might conjure images of hearty winter dinners, but the beauty of a basic risotto recipe is that you can take it from winter to spring, simply by adding some seasonal vegetables and removing some of the cheese and butter that is so comforting during the colder weather season, but too heavy during the lighter months.
We give you some ideas by extraordinary bloggers, who show you how you can take some humble grains of rice and easily transform them into an amazing, fresh spring and summer gourmet meal. Plus, a great and simple risotto recipe to add to your summer risotto recipe repertoire!
Minty Fresh Risotto Recipe
Spring Pea and Mint Risotto by Gratinee Blog
This creamy but fresh risotto recipe starts with the classic Arborio rice and gets a boost of veggies with crunchy sugar peas and a bright flavor from fresh mint. The perfect centerpiece for any spring - or summer - lunch! The original recipe comes from the extraordinary Donna Hay, but it's really Darina's wonderful photography over at Gratinee Blog that made this gorgeous risotto make our top five.
The Lighter Side of Risotto
Lighter Spring Risotto by Iowa Girl Eats
We always love finding lighter versions of a classic recipe, as long as it doesn't skimp on flavor, of course. This fabulous Lighter Spring Risotto recipe by Iowa Girl Eats includes loads of health and flavorful vegetables like asparagus and spring peas, plus meaty mushrooms and of course, Arborio rice. What it doesn't include: butter and cheese, so you can eat your risotto and still be ready for summer swimming.
Put Some Spring In Your Lemon Risotto
Lemon Risotto by LoveandLemons
"Tender yet crunchy green vegetables with bright creamy lemony rice"...we can't describe it any better ourselves! Jeanine from Love and Lemons uses her favorite ingredient to add some bright citrus flavor to her delicious Lemon Risotto with Asparagus and Peas, loading the dish with spring veggies like peas and asparagus, and finishing it with a secret genius technique - which you can read all about here.