Asparagus Risotto with Oyster Mushrooms and Ginger

(recipe from The Vegan Gourmet by Susann Geiskopf-Hadler & Mindy Toomay)

5 1/2 cups vegetable stock
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
1 lb. asparagus
6 oz. oyster mushrooms
2 tsp. dark sesame oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. dried red chili flakes
1/2 medium red bell pepper, diced
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 cup dry sherry
2 tsp. olive oil
1 1/2 cups uncooked arborio rice
3 minced green onions

Heat the stock, soy sauce, and ginger in a saucepan until just steaming, and keep this broth handy near the stove.  Rinse the asparagus, break off and discard the tough stem ends, and cut at a slant into 1-inch pieces.  Rinse the mushrooms, pat dry, and chop coarsely.

In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat.  Add half of the garlic and the red chili flakes and saute a minute or two, stirring constantly.  Add the bell pepper, asparagus, and salt.  Saute 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Stir in the mushrooms, add the sherry, and immediately cover the pan tightly.  Remove the pan from the heat and set aside with the lid on.

In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Saute the remaining garlic for 1 minute, then add the rice and stir to coat with the oil and garlic.  Add 1 cup of broth to the rice, and stir gently until the liquid is absorbed.  Add the remaining broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring almost constantly and waiting until the liquid is absorbed before each addition.  When the last addition of broth has been absorbed and the rice is creamy and tender, stir in the asparagus and mushrooms, along with any pan juices.  Heat through for 1 minute.  Transfer to a warmed tureen or individual serving bowls and sprinkle with the green onions.  Serve very hot.

Risi E Bisi

(recipe from Food & Wine magazine)

About 7 cups vegetable broth
4 cups fresh young peas (about 4 lbs. in the pod) or thawed frozen peas
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter (I used coconut oil)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese (I omitted this)
salt and freshly ground pepper

In a medium saucepan, bring the broth to a simmer.  Add 2 cups of the peas and blanch over low heat for 1 minute.  Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peas to a food processor and add 1/2 cup of the broth.  Pulse the peas to a coarse puree.  Keep the remaining broth warm, at a simmer.

In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter in the oil.  Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until softened and lightly colored, about 4 minutes.  Add the rice and stir for 3 minutes.

Add the remaining 2 cups of uncooked peas and mint to the rice and stir-fry over moderate heat for 1 minute.  Add the hot stock, 1 cup at a time, and stir constantly until it is partially absorbed before adding more (as for risotto), 20 to 25 minutes.  The texture should be soupy; if necessary, add more stock.  Just before the rice is al dente, stir in the coarsely pureed peas.  Stir in the parsley and half of the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.  Serve at once, sprinkling with the remaining cheese at the table.

(More like a risotto than a soup.  Very fresh pea flavor, even with frozen peas.)

Risotto with Butternut Squash and Sage

(recipe adapted from Bon Appetit magazine)

3 Tbsp. unsalted butter (I used olive oil)
4 cups 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes peeled seeded butternut squash (from 2-lb. squash)
1 1/2 tsp. golden brown sugar (I used honey)
6 cups broth
1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
3/4 cup chopped shallots (about 5 large)
3/4 tsp. finely chopped fresh sage
1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme
2 cups Arborio rice
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley


Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add squash.  Sprinkle with sugar, then salt and pepper.  Saute 6 minutes.  Cover; cook until almost tender, stirring often, about 5 minutes.  Uncover; sauté until browned but still holding shape, about 8 minutes.  DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead.  Cover; chill.  Bring to room temperature before using.

Bring broth to a simmer in large saucepan; cover and keep warm.  Heat oil in large pot over medium heat.  Add shallots.  Saute until soft, about 4 minutes.  Mix in sage and thyme; stir 1 minute.  Add rice; sauté until kernels are white with translucent edges, about 4 minutes.  Add wine; stir until wine evaporates, about 1 minute.  Add 1 cup warm broth; simmer until broth is absorbed, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes.  Add 1 cup broth; simmer until almost all liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes.  Continue adding broth 1 cup at a time and cooking until rice is just tender and risotto is creamy, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.  Mix in parsley and squash.  Cook until squash is heated, about 1 minute.

(Risotto is always yummy, and this one is delicious with the autumn flavors of sage and squash.)