Solstice High Protein Risotto (Printable)
Creamy risotto featuring seasonal vegetables and added protein for a nourishing main dish.
# List of ingredients:
→ Proteins
01 - 12 oz cooked chicken breast, diced
02 - 3.5 oz frozen green peas
03 - 3.5 oz cooked edamame beans, shelled
04 - 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
→ Grains
06 - 1.5 cups Arborio rice
→ Vegetables
07 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
08 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 3.5 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Liquids
12 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock, kept warm
13 - 0.4 cup dry white wine
→ Fats & Seasonings
14 - 2 tbsp olive oil
15 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter
16 - 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
17 - Salt, to taste
18 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
19 - Zest of 1 lemon
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.
02 - Add diced bell pepper and zucchini to the pan; cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in Arborio rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until grains are lightly toasted and edges become translucent.
04 - Pour in white wine and stir continuously until liquid is almost completely absorbed by the rice.
05 - Begin adding warm stock one ladle at a time, stirring constantly. Wait until each addition is nearly absorbed before adding more. Continue this process for approximately 20 minutes until rice is creamy and al dente.
06 - Stir in diced chicken, peas, edamame, and chopped spinach. Cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through and spinach is wilted.
07 - Remove from heat. Stir in butter, Parmesan cheese, and nutritional yeast. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon zest.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The way it satisfies those creamy comfort food cravings while packing 34 grams of protein per serving feels like discovering a secret loophole
- Watching colorful vegetables mix with the rice makes the whole cooking process feel therapeutic and rewarding
02 -
- Keeping your stock warm in a separate pot makes a huge difference in cooking time and texture
- The constant stirring might seem tedious but it's what releases the starch creating that restaurant quality creaminess
03 -
- If the rice finishes cooking before reaching your desired creaminess stir in another splash of stock
- Grating fresh Parmesan yourself melts better than pre grated and has superior flavor