This Shrimp Risotto with Chive Gremolate Recipe is a lovely dish, full of fresh flavors, and the comfort of creamy Arborio rice. If you have the time, making the shrimp stock is easy. This risotto is very pretty served along with a fresh salad of fresh butter lettuce, radicchio, and a citrus vinaigrette.
This delicious Shrimp Risotto recipe and photos were shared with me by Karen Calanchini, Food Stylist and Photographer, of Redding, CA. Recipe adapted from Cuisine at Home magazine.
Learn How To Make Risotto Ahead of Time – With this technique, that is used by restaurant chefs, you never have to stand at the stove, stirring, for 20 minutes while your guests wonder where you have gone. You can make any kind of risotto you want using this method.
Before making risotto, please read Making Perfect Risotto. Lots of hints and tips to help you.
- Shrimp Stock*
- 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
- 1 cup leeks (white and light green parts), sliced
- 1 cup Arborio Rice
- 3/4 cup dry sherry wine
- 1 cup snow peas, strings removed**
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt or sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly-ground
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan Reggiano cheese, freshly-grated
- 1 pound medium-size shrimp
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock (preferably homemade, but purchased stock may be used)***
- 1 cup leeks, cleaned and chopped, dark green part cut off and discarded
- 9 black peppercorns
- 4 sprigs parsley, fresh
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons chives, fresh, snipped
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest, fresh, finely-grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic, finely-minced
- Coarse salt to taste
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Prepare Shrimp Stock: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the prepared Shrimp Stock (see recipe below) to a slow, steady simmer (the liquid should stay hot but not simmer). Place this pot on a burner, over low heat, next to the burner you will be using to make the risotto. Keep the broth simmering slowly.
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Prepare Chive Gremolata: set aside until ready to use.
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Trim and clean leeks: Thinly slice the white and light green portion. You need to thoroughly clean a leek because dirt can become trapped in its many layers. Trim the root portion right above the base (cutting too far up the stalk will remove the part that holds the layers together). Slice off the fibrous green tops, leaving only the white-to-light green stalk. Discard greens. Cut the leek in half lengthwise, then cut according to your recipe (slice, chop or dice).
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In a large heavy 4-quart pan (or non-stick pan) over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; add leeks and saute approximately 3 minutes or until soft (be careful not to brown the leeks).
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Add the rice and cook, stirring approximately 1 to 2 minutes, making sure all the grains are well coated (toasting the rice in hot butter or oil keeps it from getting mushy). Toasting the rice also quickly heats up the grain's exterior (toast until the rice is hot to the touch and the color should remain pearly white and translucent, but not turn brown.
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Add sherry wine and cook, stirring constantly until wine has been completely absorbed by the rice or evaporated.
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Add liquid in increments: The quantity of liquid suggested in the recipes is always approximate. In actual cooking, you should be prepared to use more, or sometimes less, as the risotto itself requires. All the flavors that the cooking liquid starts out with become more concentrated and intense as it evaporates.
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Add the hot Shrimp Broth (1/2 cup at a time), stirring frequently. Add liquid slowly and stirring frequently are the keys to making perfect risotto. Run your wooden spoon across the bottom of the pot to determine when each addition of broth is almost completely absorbed. Wait until each addition is almost completely absorbed before adding the next 1/2 cup of hot Shrimp Stock. Stir frequently to prevent sticking. Risotto does not need constant attention during its 18 minute cooking time. You will just need to check on the pan every few minutes, give the rice a stir to keep it from sticking, and add more Shrimp Stock.
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Finishing the Shrimp Risotto: The total amount of cooking time may vary within 2 to 3 minutes. The total cooking time from the first addition of Shrimp Stock should be approximately 22 minutes.
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After approximately 18 minutes, when the rice is tender but still firm to the bite, stir in the snow peas and raw shrimp (that was set aside from making the Shrimp Stock). Cook until the shrimp are pink and firm, approximately 5 minutes. NOTE: When cooking with broth, if you have used up the broth before the rice is fully cooked, continue with simmering water.
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Turn off the heat and immediately add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the parmesan cheese, stirring vigorously to combine with the rice. Season with salt, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat.
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Serve immediately with the prepared Chive Gremolata as a garnish.
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Makes 4 to 6 servings as a main dish.
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Peel and devein shrimp and set aside to add to the finished risotto.
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In a saucepan over medium-high heat, place the shrimp shells, water, chicken stock, leeks, peppercorns, parsley, and bay leaves; bring just to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and let stock simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain the stock through a colander into a bowl; discard the solids.
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In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the Shrimp Stock to a slow, steady simmer (the liquid should stay hot but not simmer). Place this pot on a burner, over low heat, next to the burner you will be using to make the risotto. Keep the broth simmering slowly.
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Wash and thoroughly dry the chives.
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Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and season to taste with salt. Set aside until ready to use.
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Makes approximately 4 tablespoons.
* If you have the time, making the shrimp stock is easy. If not, buy the peeled and deveined raw shrimp and use clam juice in place of the shrimp stock.
** Also called Sugar Peas. These peas are not shelled, as the entire pod is eaten.
*** Learn how easy it is to make homemade chicken stock/broth.