Asparagus-Leek Risotto

Two of my favorite vegetables married in one fabulous recipe.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 3⁄4 lb asparagus, trimmed
• 2  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
•  salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 1⁄2 cups  sliced leeks (white and light green parts only)
• 1  cup arborio rice or 1  cup short-grain rice
• 3  cups chicken broth
• 1⁄3 cup  freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  freshly ground coarse black pepper
• 1  lemon, sliced

Directions

1. Roast asparagus: place asparagus in a single layer on a baking s heet. Brush evenly with 1 T. olive oil; lightly sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Bake, uncovered, in 450-degree oven about 10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Cool slightly. Cut two-thirds into 2-inch pieces; set aside all asparagus.
2. While the asparagus is roasting, cook leeks in a large saucepan in 1 T. olive oil until tender. Stir in uncooked rice. Cook and stir over medium heat about 5 minutes or until rice begins to turn golden brown.
3. In another saucepan bring broth to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer. Carefully stir 1 cup of hot broth into rice mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, over medium heat until liquid is absorbed. Then add 1/2 cup broth at a time, stirring frequently until broth is absorbed before adding more broth (about 22 minutes in total).
4. Stir in any remaining broth. Cook and stir just until rice is tender and creamy.
5. Stir in asparagus pieces, cheese, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and pepper. Top with asparagus spears and lemon slices.