Risotto with Spring Peas, Ham, and Fontina Cheese Recipe

Updated May 15, 2019

2013-04-01-everday_italian_risotto_with_spring_peas_ham1.jpg — Deborah Mele

This is a simple spring risotto dish created to showcase the first spring peas I was lucky to find this year. If fresh peas are not available, frozen baby peas will work just as well. For the ham, I bought a thick slice that I simply diced into small squares a little larger than the peas. I decided to add Fontina cheese to add creaminess, in place of Parmesan which is the typical cheese used in risotto. If Fontina cheese is not available, another semi-soft, mild flavored cheese would work well in its place. When serving this risotto dish I often sprinkle on a little additional grated lemon zest and some cracked black pepper. For cheese lovers, you may like to offer grated Parmesan cheese at the table.

Note: Risotto should be served on warm plates so that it doesn't thicken too quickly. Store your plates in a 225°F oven while you prepare your risotto, then remove them carefully using kitchen towels or oven mitts.

Italian Easy: Risotto with Spring Peas, Ham, and Fontina

Recipe Details

Risotto with Spring Peas, Ham, and Fontina Cheese Recipe

Active 25 mins

Total 25 mins

Serves 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1/3 cup finely chopped onion (about 1/2 medium)
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, kept warm
1 cup shelled baby peas (see note)
1 cup finely diced ham (about 4 ounces)
1 cup grated fontina cheese
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons finely chopped basil leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Place the olive oil and half the butter in a heavy bottomed saucepan and heat until sizzling over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until translucent, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add the rice, and stir to coat the rice completely with the oil mixture. Cook for an additional 3 minutes, stirring often.
Add the wine to the pot, stir to mix, and continue to cook over medium heat until the wine has been absorbed. Add a ladleful of warm broth and continue to cook, stirring constantly. As each addition of broth has been absorbed, add another, stirring constantly until the rice is just slightly firm to the bite, about 20 minutes.
With the last addition of broth, add the peas, ham, Fontina cheese, lemon zest, and basil. Stir to mix, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook another 5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the Fontina cheese, and stir until the cheese has completely melted into the rice. Risotto should have creamy consistency that settles on a plate when spooned. If not, thin with extra stock or water until creamy consistency is reached. Serve immediately on hot plates.

This Recipe Appears In

Italian Easy: Risotto with Spring Peas, Ham, and Fontina

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
334	Calories
21g	Fat
22g	Carbs
15g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories	334
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g	26%
Saturated Fat 10g	49%
Cholesterol 56mg	19%
Sodium 613mg	27%
Total Carbohydrate 22g	8%
Dietary Fiber 2g	6%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 6mg	31%
Calcium 135mg	10%
Iron 2mg	10%
Potassium 338mg	7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.