Green Pea Risotto with Buckwheat and Fresh Mint
This delicious green pea buckwheat risotto with mint is vibrant in both colour and flavour. While the green peas, spinach, mint and lemon zest (optional) combine to create a burst of spring flavour, the buckwheat provides a subtle nutty creaminess,
Ingredients
2 cup raw buckwheat groats
4 and 1 cups cold water to cover groats
2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
4 cups green peas blanched
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 cups vegetable stock
4 garlic cloves finely chopped
4 cups baby spinach leaves
0.5 cup mint leaves
1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
Crushed pepper
Sea salt to taste
Fresh Herbs to put on top
Directions
Place the buckwheat groats in a bowl and cover with cold water and the apple cider vinegar. Leave for at least three hours or overnight.
Rinse the groats thoroughly and set aside. Bring a medium pot of water to the boil over medium heat and add the frozen green peas. Cook for 1-minute before removing them from the heat, straining them and running the peas under cold water to cool. Set aside.
In a large pan, heat the olive over medium heat and add the garlic to sautée until fragrant - around 1 minute.
Add the buckwheat groats and stir.
Add the stock and turn the heat to low-medium.
Meanwhile, put half the blanched peas plus all of the mint, baby spinach and a few tablespoons of water in to a blender and blend until smooth. Add a touch more water if needed.
Add the remaining peas and pulse a few times to roughly chop; we want to maintain some texture.
Pour the pea mixture in to the buckwheat pan and stir through. Add the lemon zest (optional)
Cook for five minutes or until the buckwheat is al dente and most of the stock has absorbed. I remove my risotto from the pan when the mixture is still loose and there is a little liquid still remaining. The buckwheat will continue to absorb so this just prevents the risotto from getting thick.
Season with salt and pepper to serve with a sprinkling of vegan parmesan. and fresh herbs.
