The risotto remains one of my regular weeknight meals. It's quick to prepare and, to make a plain risotto bianco, requires only a few basic ingredients. It's what I call a "store cupboard meal", meaning that the ingredients it comprises all keep for a long time, either in the fridge or the cupboard, so you can always keep them in stock, waiting to be made into a delicious risotto at a moment's notice.

My winter risotto was essentially just a plain risotto with some cavolo nero added. I've taken a similar approach here, but with peas, to keep it seasonal. I've added some crisp bacon lardons for good measure. The salty savouriness of the bacon compliments the sweet peas perfectly and it provides a lovely colour contrast, too.

Bacon and Pea Risotto Recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 140 g risotto rice
  • 150 g streaky bacon, cut into lardons
  • 200 g garden peas, fresh or frozen
  • 1 glassful dry white wine
  • vegetable oil, for frying
  • 40 g unsalted butter, chopped
  • sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 litre chicken stock
  • 60 g parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped

Method

  1. The secret to a good risotto is to stir it continuously as the rice is cooking. This is the only way of getting the ultimate glossy and thick texture. You won't have time to do any prep at the same time so be sure to measure all the ingredients out and get everything chopped before you start.

  2. Place a medium sized frying pan over a medium heat and put in about ½ tablespoon of vegetable oil. When the oil is hot, add the lardons and fry until crisp. Remove the lardons from the pan and set aside in a bowl.

  3. Now to start the risotto. Place a medium high-sided pot or pan over a medium high heat and add the olive oil. Wait until the oil is hot, about 1 minute, then add the onion and garlic along with a pinch of salt. Immediately turn down the heat and cook slowly for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and sweet. This is the soffrito.

  4. Now turn the heat to high and add the rice. Stir vigorously for about 30 seconds to coat the rice in the flavour of the soffrito, then add the wine. Turn the heat to medium-high and continue to stir until all the liquid has gone. From this point the risotto will take about 15 minutes. Continue to add the chicken stock, 1 ladleful at time, stirring continuously to massage and coax the starch from the rice. This creates the thick sauce of the risotto.

  5. After about 15 minutes, the risotto should be ready. When you taste a grain of rice, there should be a slight bite to it. If it's still quite hard, continue cooking for a bit longer. Turn the heat off, then add the chilled butter and parmesan gradually, whilst beating the risotto to emulsify it into a lovely creamy texture. If it seems too thick, add a bit of stock. As Giorgio Locatelli says 'It should ripple like waves on the sea'. If you run out of stock, just use boiling water.

  6. At this point, add half of the peas to the risotto and stir through. Portion the risotto into bowls and garnish with the remaining peas and lardons. Finish with some parmesan shavings.