Sometimes, it’s what I have in the house that decides what food I’m going to make. Lemons and leeks, plus a new package of risotto led me to this dish.

Risotto does take a while to cook, and you have to hang around so you can stir stir stir. But it’s not difficult work, sort of mindless repetition which isn’t so bad. After a day of work and the odious public transit commute home, it’s a good way to relax and let the stress out and your shoulders unhunch.

This is what what happened.

There were lemons and leeks.

The leeks were sliced, diced, rinsed and drained.

There was Arborio rice.

The butter was melted in the fry pan, then the leeks were added.

When the leeks were translucent, the rice was added.

This is what it looks like part way along.

When there was a break (the liquid takes longer to absorb as the cooking progresses), the lemons were zested.

All the chicken stock has been added and absorbed.

Lemon risotto.

The recipe is from Martha Stewart’s site.

Here’s a link to the recipe: www.marthastewart.com/312436/lemon-risotto

Lemon Risotto

Ingredients

8 to 10 cups chicken or vegetable stock

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 large leeks, white part only, well washed and cut into 1/2-inch dice

2 cups Arborio rice

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons lemon zest (4 lemons), plus more for garnish

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped fresh chives

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions

Heat stock in a medium saucepan, and keep warm over low heat.

Heat 4 tablespoons of butter in a medium straight-sided sauté pan over low heat. Add leeks, and cook, covered, until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add rice, and raise heat to medium-high, stirring often for 3 minutes.

Add about 1/2 cup hot stock, or just barely enough to cover rice. Cook, stirring, until stock has almost completely absorbed. Add lemon zest, stirring to combine. Continue cooking and stirring rice in this manner, adding 1/2 cup stock at a time, for 15 to 20 minutes. At this point the rice should be tender but still a bit firm to the bite. Stir in lemon juice. Season well with salt and pepper. Add chives, and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter until it melts. Serve hot, sprinkled with Parmesan and lemon zest.