Leek and cream risotto

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Vegetarian mains

Leek and cream risotto

Name: Leek and cream risotto
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4

Main Serves 4 45 min

This comforting vegetarian risotto can be eaten as a weeknight main or as a luxurious side. Use winter leeks if you can for this recipe as their stronger taste sings out better from the risotto. This is also good with an added handful of frozen peas or fried mushrooms – or perhaps some salty bacon.

Cook's notes

We've used Parmesan in this recipe but if you are vegetarian you can use an alternative. Good vegetarian Parmesan can be difficult to get hold of; vegetarian Pecorino is often tastier.

Ingredients

25g butter
4 leeks, white parts only, thinly sliced
1½ litre vegetable stock
350g risotto rice
175ml single cream
Parmesan, grated, to serve

Method

Prep time: 5 min

Cooking time: 40 min

Step 1
Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon water and simmer for 20 minutes, adding more water if necessary.
Step 2
Meanwhile bring the stock to the boil in another pan. Stir the rice into the leeks. Add a ladleful of the hot stock and cook, stirring, until it has been absorbed.
Step 3
Continue adding the stock, a ladleful at a time, and stirring until each addition has been absorbed. This will take about 20 minutes.
Step 4
When the rice is tender, stir in the cream and season to taste. Serve with Parmesan.