Lemon Broccoli Risotto

Ingredients
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 pound broccoli, cut into florets and stems cut into ¹⁄₂ inch pieces
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 ¹⁄₂ cups rice (I prefer Arborio but you can use almost any rice for risotto.)
¹⁄₂ cup white wine
¹⁄₂ cup Parmesan cheese, grated or shredded
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
1. Bring the broth and water to a boil in a large saucepan.  Reduce heat to medium and cook broccoli florets for 3 minutes or until just tender.  Remove the florets with a slotted spoon and reserve. 

2. Add the broccoli stems, zest and lemon juice to the broth and simmer for 5 minutes. 

3. Meanwhile, heat the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan.  Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is softened.  Add the rice and stir until well coated with oil. 

4. Add the wine to the rice mixture and cook, stirring, until the liquid has evaporated.  Using a slotted spoon transfer the broccoli stem pieces to the rice mixture and stir.  Working with ¹⁄₂ to 1 cup at a time add the broth mixture to the rice mixture.  Stir often until all of the liquid has been absorbed before adding more.  It should take about 20 minutes for the rice to absorb all of the liquid. 

5. Stir in the reserved broccoli florets and stir until heated through.  Remove the pan from heat and add the Parmesan cheese.  Season with salt and pepper, serve. 

Comments
I have no idea where I first found this recipe but I remember I found it when I was cooking for Lance and was only really certain that he liked rice.  And steak.  He always loves steak.  I had exhausted all of my tried and true risotto recipes so I found this one somewhere online and gave it a go.  It was pretty disappointing the first time since the original recipe called to keep the florets and stems in the simmering liquid for entirely too long.  All of the broccoli bits were mushy and gray by the time the rice was finished cooking.  I tweaked it in order to keep the broccoli delicious and I’m so glad it worked!  We all greatly enjoyed this and I’ll be making it again without a doubt.

I’m still glad I know that Lance will eat more than just rice now!

Shown here with Balsamic Pork Tenderloin with Shallots.

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