Courgette and Broad Bean Risotto With Basil Pesto

    25m prep time
    55m total time
    Easy level
    15 ingredients
Courgette and Broad Bean Risotto With Basil Pesto recipe by Cherrypick

Make this vibrant risotto with courgettes and broad beans to make the most of summer veg. Swirl through homemade pesto for a familiar flavour bomb that the whole family will enjoy.

Method

Based on 2 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

To make the pesto, crush the garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt using a pestle and mortar. Add the pine nuts and pound to a coarse paste, then tear in the basil and mint, pounding again until they’ve broken down. Stir in the oil and cheese, then taste for seasoning – add more cheese if you like.

Step 2

Heat the oil and butter in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the courgettes, sprinkle in the chilli flakes and nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper. Fry for 3-5 mins until the courgettes are golden and softened. Add the spring onions and lemon zest, and stir for a minute or two. Tip in the rice and stir to coat in the oil until translucent, about 2 mins.

Step 3

Pour in the wine, then cook for a couple of minutes until it’s mostly evaporated. Add a ladleful of the stock and stir for a few minutes until it’s absorbed. Continue adding a ladleful at a time for 20-30 mins, stirring continually, until all of the stock is absorbed.

Step 4

Stir in the blanched broad beans and flowers, if using, and warm through for 2 mins. Remove from the heat and stir through the parmesan. Allow to sit for about 5 mins, then swirl through half of the pesto. Any remaining pesto will keep chilled for up to two days.

Step 5

Divide the risotto between bowls and scatter with the extra basil leaves, extra cheese and another spoonful of the pesto, if you like.
  • Ingredients
  • Based on 2 servings
  • 750g Warm Vegetable, or chicken stock
    750g Warm Vegetable, or chicken stock 1 x Sainsbury's Stock Cubes, Chicken 10x10g
  • 2 Garlic Clove
    2 Garlic Clove 1 x Sainsbury's Large Garlic
  • 1 tsp Butter
    1 tsp Butter 1 x Sainsbury's British Butter, Salted 250g
  • 2 Courgettes, cut into 1-2cm dice
    2 Courgettes, cut into 1-2cm dice 2 x Sainsbury's Courgettes Loose
  • 1 pinch Chilli Flakes
    1 pinch Chilli Flakes 1 x Sainsbury's Chipotle Chilli Flakes 45g
  • 15g Basil Leaves, plus extra to serve
    15g Basil Leaves, plus extra to serve 1 x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Basil 30g
  • 0.5 Lemon, zested
    0.5 Lemon, zested 1 x Sainsbury's Lemons
  • 150g Risotto Rice
    150g Risotto Rice 1 x Sainsbury's Arborio Risotto Rice 500g
  • 75ml Dry White Wine, or Vermouth
    75ml Dry White Wine, or Vermouth 1 x Sainsbury's House Pinot Grigio White Wine (Small bottle) 18.7cl
  • 30g Parmesan, or veggie alternative - grated, plus extra to serve
    30g Parmesan, or veggie alternative - grated, plus extra to serve 1 x Sainsbury's Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese 200g
  • 1 pinch Grated Nutmeg
    1 pinch Grated Nutmeg 1 x Sainsbury's Ground Nutmeg 50g
  • 2 Spring Onions, finely sliced
    2 Spring Onions, finely sliced 1 x Sainsbury's Spring Onions Bunch 100g
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
    3 tbsp Olive Oil 1 x Sainsbury's Olive Oil, Extra Virgin 1L
  • 100g Broad Beans, blanched and peeled
    100g Broad Beans, blanched and peeled 1 x Sainsbury's Broad Beans 650g
  • 1 tbsp Toasted Pine Nuts
    1 tbsp Toasted Pine Nuts 1 x Sainsbury's Pine Nuts 100g
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