MEDITERRANEAN VEG RISOTTO WITH AIR FRIED BEETROOT AND PUMPKIN

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

• 1 handful of baby spinach leaves/ or 2-3 leaves and stem of rainbow chard

• 1.5 litres of vegetable stock- I used a reduced salt veggie stock

• 1 brown onion

• 4 cloves of garlic finely chopped or crushed

• 1 1/2 cups of arborio rice (risotto rice)

• 2 yellow squash

• 1/2 red capsicum

• 1 carrot

• 1 beetroot

• 1/2 medium sized butternut pumpkin

• 4-5 button mushrooms

• 1 bunch of broccolini

• handful of walnuts

• 100g of snow peas

• 80g of rennet free parmesan cheese or natural vintage cheddar cheese

• 1/2 a cup of dry white wine or white wine vinegar

• 2 pinches of salt and pepper

Feel free to add/swap your favourite veggies to this dish

METHOD:

Risotto

1. Chop the onion in to fine pieces, Chop or crush the garlic

2. Chop the rest of the vegetables and set aside

3. Heat stock and keep warm

4. Place oil in a large heavy-based non stick saucepan over medium heat. 

5. Add the onion and cook for minute, then add 3 and a 1/2 cloves of garlic. Cook these together for a few minutes or until softened.

6. Add the rice stirring constantly to prevent sticking and to warm the rice.

7. Add white wine, over a very low heat and cook for 1 minute or until evaporated.

8. Add 1 ladle of hot stock at a time, ensure all the liquid is incorporated before adding more.

9. Add the chopped carrot into the risotto when you add stock for the second time, then add the rest of the vegetables

10. Stir continuously and carefully ensuring its not glugy,

11. Keep adding stock and string for 25–30 minutes or until absorbed and rice is al dente.

12. Then Stir through the rest of the mushroom, spinach and cheese

Air fried vegetables: If you don’t have an air fryer roast veg in the oven

1. Put the chopped beetroot in your air fryer for about 10-15 minutes or until slightly crisp and caramelised depending on size of pieces

2. Put the chopped pumpkin in the air fryer for about 10 minutes or until crisp

Serves 5 and is vegetarian friendly

This risotto is a great dinner that everyone in the family can enjoy! It’s full of veggies and fibre.

It’s low in saturated fat, rich in antioxidants.