Perfect Instant Pot Risotto (with Lemon and Green Peas)

Here is another perfect recipe. Tonight’s dinner, emerging because of an upcoming cooking class next week. As they say, it’s all good. In fact, I will say that it is all perfect.  Given that it is summer, and been fairly warm, this version of risotto is lighter, brothier, and offers a nice spark from lemon and mint. Now, I took the pictures right after I made it, so it looks a little more soupy than how it ends up.

Arborio rice, which is the rice of choice for risotto, absorbs the moisture very easily, so it thickens very quickly. And that golden color comes from a few strands of saffron. Ir is the natural creamy consistency of the right that gives risotto its creamy texture.

So, yes, you know me, I have to get in some flavors to dance around with almost anything that I can think of.

Why does the idea of a risotto in the Instant Pot work so well?

Now, here is the super good news. Creamy risotto like dishes like this Bengali Khichuri and this Barley Risotto.

• This is a great basic risotto recipe that you can serve as is or power up with your favorite protein.  In my house, it is the later. I did shrimp for the pescatarians and chicken for the carnivores.
• Doing this in the instant pot is a game changer, no stirring involved.
• It is much lighter than a lot of version out there.
• Parmesan yes, but no cream unless you want to add some.
• As a general rule with risotto, for every 1 cup of rice, you want about 2 cups of broth. Here I have added 3/4 cup more because I wanted it a little more soupy.

It captures the essence of the dish, because at heart, you want to make sure,

• your risotto rice is not overcooked
• It is not clumpy
• Contains a good balance of light flavor broth and Parmesan (well, Pecorino Romano will work in a pinch, even though it is a little frowned upon, in my house).

And, then in my case, I added some saffron, lemon juice, and just a hint of saffron. While this was cooking I quickly seared some shrimp. I visited Trader Joe’s after only forever, to pick up peanut butter. No, peanut butter has nothing to do with this recipe. I am just happy to back to my favorite store, they are even doing recycle bags again. Simple things, especially the ones that I can control make me happy.

If you like this recipe and want more ideas, do join my Indian Instant Pot Facebook group and Legume Love Group. Of course Instant Indian is ready for order, joining its siblings The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles and Spices and Seasons.

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