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Baked Risotto Primavera

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/baked_risotto_primavera.html

From EatingWell:  Spring 2004, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004)

This updated spring classic calls for nutty-tasting short-grain brown rice instead of the traditional white arborio. Because the cooking time is longer with whole-grain rice, this risotto is cooked in the oven rather than on the stovetop, eliminating the need for almost constant stirring.

6 servings, about 1 cup each | Active Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1 cup short- or medium-grain brown rice, (see Ingredient note)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 14-1/2-ounce can reduced-sodium chicken broth, or 3 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 8 ounces asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces (2 cups)
• 1 cup sugar snap peas, or snow peas, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup diced red bell pepper, (1 medium)
• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese, (3 1/2 ounces)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
• 1-2 teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or ovenproof high sided skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in rice and garlic; cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in wine and simmer until it has mostly evaporated. Add broth and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and transfer to the oven.
3. Bake until the rice is just tender, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
4. Shortly before the risotto is done, steam asparagus, peas and bell pepper until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
5. Fold the steamed vegetables, Parmesan, parsley, chives, lemon zest and pepper into the risotto. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Per serving : 267 Calories; 8 g Fat; 3 g Sat; 3 g Mono; 11 mg Cholesterol; 35 g Carbohydrates; 12 g Protein; 4 g Fiber; 607 mg Sodium; 458 mg Potassium

Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 1/3 vegetable, 1 lean protein, 1/2 fat

Tips & Notes

• Ingredient Note: Use short- or medium-grain brown rice, available in natural-foods stores and large supermarkets, to achieve the characteristic creamy risotto texture. Lundberg Family Farms (www.lundberg.com) sells an excellent short-grain brown rice. Another source is dannysorganic.com.