Slow Cooker Meyer Lemon Risotto
My good friend, Adriana S., gifted me some of her Meyer lemons from her backyard and I could not wait for the inspiration to hit what to do with them. I had never seen such huge Meyer lemons but they were ripe for the picking, incredibly juicy and so fragrant I knew I had to do something special with them. My tendency towards savory verses sweet led to the creation of this creamy risotto. The fragrant, slightly sweet lemon is the perfect burst of freshness to a traditional buttery and nutty Parmesan Italian staple. This a keeper as a side dish or a vegetarian meal. This rice dish would be a nice addition to your holiday buffets.
Ingredients
- 2tablespoon butter, divided
- 1 small onion, finely chopped *
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2cup uncooked short-grain Arborio rice
- 1/2cup white wine
- 2 1/2cup vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/4teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, from refrigerated section
- 2teaspoon grated fresh lemon zest
- 2tablespoon fresh lemon juice*
- Additional lemon peel, sea salt and ground black pepper, if desired
Instructions
- In a saute pan heat 1 tablespooon butter over medium heat. Add in the onion and garlic sauteing for 1 minute until onions are fragrant. Add in the rice and stir for 2 minutes until until edges of kernels are translucent. Pour in the wine stirring constantly until the wine is absorbed (about 2 minutes). Pour the rice mixture into a large slow cooker.
- In a microwave safe bowl heat the broth for 2 minutes until it is very hot. Pour the hot broth into the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours. Stir in the cheese, 1 tablespoon butter, the lemon peel and lemon juice. Taste and adjust for additional lemon zest, salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
*Try using 2 shallots, finely chopped in place of the onion.
For a protein version, try adding in a pound of bay scallops during the last 30 minutes of cook time. Add in the butter, cheese etc. as directed in directions.
The Meyer lemon is a citrus fruit native to China thought to be a cross between a true lemon and either a mandarin or common orange. The Meyer lemon fruit is yellow and rounder than a true lemon. The skin is fragrant and thin, coloured a deep yellow with a slight orange tint when ripe. Meyer lemon fruits have a sweeter, less acidic flavor than the more common Lisbon or Eureka supermarket lemon varieties.
