Shrimp and Asparagus Saffron Risotto

If you are looking for a simple dish, that both tastes and looks beautiful, this recipe for Shrimp and Asparagus Saffron Risotto will not disappoint!

Introducing my very favorite risotto.  It’s a vibrant, delicious dish that’s packed full of flavor.  I love the combination of saffron, lemon, and asparagus.  The addition of sweet, plump shrimp makes it perfection on a plate.

This is a great Springtime recipe, but I make it all year round.

This luscious recipe is versatile too!  You can replace the shrimp with crab, scallops or even chicken.

You can also change up the asparagus for broccoli, peas or spinach.

The best part of this dish is it doesn’t require you to stir the entire time you are cooking.  When I make it that way, it only comes out well half the time.

I found a way to make risotto by adding the stock all at once, covering it and letting it cook on a low heat until absorbed.  When I make it that way, it comes out perfect every time.

Here’s how you make it:

Bring stock to a simmer, add the saffron and leave to infuse.

Blanch the asparagus in a pan of boiling water until just tender and refresh under cold water. In a separate pan, saute the onions, and celery in 2 tablespoons of butter together until they are cooked and soft but not browned.

Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the rice in one go and stir it around with the other ingredients to toast the grains thoroughly without browning.

Raise the heat to high and add the wine. Reduce the wine until nearly all of the liquid is absorbed into the rice.

Stir in the stock.

Reduce the heat, stir and leave to cook covered 15-18 until the rice is just undercooked and add the shrimp and parsley.

Cook until pink (about 3 minutes).  Add in the asparagus and lemon juice. Mix together, taking care not to destroy the asparagus spears or the Shrimp.

Serve and enjoy.

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Let's Make

Shrimp and Asparagus Saffron Risotto

This fresh, spring risotto has great depth as it’s made from stock, saffron, asparagus, and parsley.  It's a simple, no-stir risotto that's perfect for weeknight dinners. 

5 from 2 votes

Prep10 minutes

Cook18 minutes

Total28 minutes

Serves: 5

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Ingredients

• 4 cups Chicken Stock4 cups Chicken Stock
• teaspoon Saffron Threads teaspoon Saffron Threads
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup dry white wine1 cup dry white wine
• 2 small shallots peeled and finely chopped2 small shallots peeled and finely chopped
• 2 Celery stalks finely chopped2 Celery stalks finely chopped
• 2 Cloves of Garlic chopped2 Cloves of Garlic chopped
• 2 cups Risotto Rice2 cups Risotto Rice
• 20 asparagus spears removed20 asparagus spears removed
• 7 ounces raw peeled shrimp seasoned with salt and pepper7 ounces raw peeled shrimp seasoned with salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice2 tablespoons lemon juice
• A handful of flat-leaf parsley chopped A handful of flat-leaf parsley chopped
• ⅔ cup grated Parmesan plus more for serving⅔ cup grated Parmesan plus more for serving
• salt and pepper to taste salt and pepper to taste

Cups - Metric

Instructions

• Bring stock to a simmer in a saucepan; add the saffron and leave to infuse.
• Blanch the asparagus in a pan of boiling water until just tender, refresh under cold water, then slice into lengths.
• In a separate pan, saute the shallots, and celery in 2 tablespoons of butter together until they are cooked and soft but not browned.
• Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
• Add all the rice in one go and stir it around with the other ingredients to toast the grains thoroughly without browning.
• Raise the heat to high, add the wine and reduce it until nearly all of the liquid is absorbed into the rice.
• Stir in the stock, reduce the heat, stir and leave to cook covered 15-18 until the rice is just undercooked (Checking after about 15 minutes to make sure no additional stock is needed. If the risotto looks dry, add some of the remaining stock).
• Add the shrimp, and cook until pink (about 3 minutes).
• Add in the asparagus spears, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Mix together, taking care not to destroy the asparagus spears or the Shrimp.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Before serving, mix in the remaining butter & the cheese.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 599kcal (30%)| Carbohydrates: 77g (26%)| Protein: 25g (50%)| Fat: 16g (25%)| Saturated Fat: 8g (50%)| Cholesterol: 141mg (47%)| Sodium: 806mg (35%)| Potassium: 549mg (16%)| Fiber: 4g (17%)| Sugar: 6g (7%)| Vitamin A: 955IU (19%)| Vitamin C: 9.6mg (12%)| Calcium: 248mg (25%)| Iron: 6.4mg (36%)

Author:Erren Hart

Course:Main

Cuisine:Italian

Keyword:italian, risotto, shrimp

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Update Notes: This post was originally published in January of 2014, but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and baking tips in April of 2018.