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    Home > Meal Type > Main Dishes

    Saffron and Leek Risotto - Served 2 Ways

    Updated: Nov 28th 2018 โ€ข Published: Feb 5th 2017 โ€ข 14 Comments

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    This Saffron and Leek Risotto is the perfect balance of comfort and elegance. The saffron adds a beautiful colour and the sweet creamy leeks take it beyond the norm. I can (and have) eaten this straight from the pan ๐Ÿ˜‰

    This Saffron and Leek Risotto is the perfect balance of comfort and elegance. The saffron adds a beautiful colour and the sweet creamy leeks take it beyond the norm. Perfect for entertaining or a mid week meal.

    With Valentines day just around the corner I thought I would share a meal perfect for 2. This is my main course, yes it is aย dish that takes a bit of time but isn't high in the effort stakes. It is perfect for making as you drink a glass of wine and eat your selection of canapรฉs.

    What sort of Valentine's evening do you have planned? Once Iย had kids, I found that dates and meals out became far and few between. Netflix and a bottle of wine are the standard! So whilst I was thinking about how to dish up this beautifully vibrant risotto, I had a brain wave, (it maybe not that inspired or original ๐Ÿ˜‰ ) but I thought why not give you a couple of serving options.

    This Saffron and Leek Risotto is the perfect balance of comfort and elegance. The saffron adds a beautiful colour and the sweet creamy leeks take it beyond the norm. Perfect for entertaining or a mid week meal.

    If like Stew and I you will be spending Valentines day snuggled on the sofa then get out a nice tray and serve a big bowl of risotto with a spoon. If you are going to be sat at the table, (maybe impressing a new/potential partner) then perhaps plate it with the charred leeks and parsley oil. Both are delicious and both are simple to achieve!

    This Saffron and Leek Risotto is the perfect balance of comfort and elegance. The saffron adds a beautiful colour and the sweet creamy leeks take it beyond the norm. Perfect for entertaining or a mid week meal.

    Or maybe you aren't celebrating with a special someone this year? You can still whip this up, eat an extra large bowlful and remind yourself that you are completely and utterly amazing and George Clooneyย doesn't know what he is missing!!!! (Seriously he doesn't!!!! I mean if he wanted to sit on the sofa, drink off brand champers (which is delicious!!!) eat risotto and watchย ER re-runs then he really should be knocking on my door by now! (George not your cup of tea?...what aboutย Idris Elba! Oh swoon!!)

    This Saffron and Leek Risotto is the perfect balance of comfort and elegance. The saffron adds a beautiful colour and the sweet creamy leeks take it beyond the norm. Perfect for entertaining or a mid week meal.

    For more tips and tricks on achieving the perfect risotto check out my Simple perfect risotto post.

    I have specifically given quantities for 2 here as this is a Valentine's day meal.ย But the quantities are easily doubled.

    Enjoy x


    If you love this recipe for Saffron and Leek Risotto why notย pin it for later.

     

    This Saffron and Leek Risotto is the perfect balance of comfort and elegance. The saffron adds a beautiful colour and the sweet creamy leeks take it beyond the norm. Perfect for entertaining or a mid week meal. #sundaysuppers
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Saffron and Leek Risotto - Served 2 Ways

    This Saffron and Leek Risotto is the perfect balance of comfort and elegance. The saffron adds a beautiful colour and the sweet creamy leeks take it beyond the norm. 
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Servings: 2 (or 4 as a side)
    Calories: 1145kcal
    Author: Claire | Sprinkle and Sprouts
    For more great recipes follow me on PinterestFollow @sprinklessprout
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    Ingredients

    US Customary - Grams
    • 4 cups vegetable stock
    • small pinch saffron
    • 2 leeks
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 ยฝ cups arborio rice
    • โ…“ cup white wine
    • 2 tablespoon butter
    • ยฝ cup parmesan cheese
    • small handful fresh parsley
    • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

    Instructions

    • Bring the stock to the boil and then add in the saffron. Set it over a very low flame to keep warm.
    • Top and tail the leek (If making the charred leeks cut six 1 cm disks and reserve later.)
    • Chop the remaining leek into half moons.
    • Heat the oil and butter in a heavy based sautรฉ pan.
    • Add the chopped leeks and cook for 3-4 minutes over a medium heat, until softened.
    • Add in the rice and stir to coat in the oil, until the rice is starting to toast.
    • Pour in the the wine and stir continuously until it has been absorbed.
    • Reduce the heat to low and add a ladleful of stock to the rice.
    • Simmer and stir until it has been absorbed then add another ladle of stock.
    • Repeat this until all the stock has been added. At this point the rice should be nicely al dente and have a oozy consistency.
    • Remove from the pan from the heat, grate in โ…” of the parmesan. Add the butter and then beat it into the risotto with a wooden spoon. Put the lid on and set it to one side for 5 minutes.
    • Serve with fresh parmesan and chopped parsley - or make the Charred Leeks and Parsley Oil.

    To Serve this with Charred Leeks and Parsley Oil

    • Get a frying pan super hot then add a drizzle of oil.
    • Cook the reserved leek disks until they have a nice char on them. Turn and cook on the other side.
    • Finely chop the parsley and mix it into the EVOO.
    • To serve spoon the risotto into a bowl, add the charred leeks. Shave over the remaining parmesan and drizzle with the parsley oil.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1145kcal | Carbohydrates: 139g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 2454mg | Potassium: 325mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3210IU | Vitamin C: 10.6mg | Calcium: 349mg | Iron: 8.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sprinklesandsprouts or tag #sprinklesandsprouts
    ย This Saffron and Leek Risotto is the perfect balance of comfort and elegance. The saffron adds a beautiful colour and the sweet creamy leeks take it beyond the norm. Perfect for entertaining or a mid week meal. #sundaysuppers

    Saffron and Leek Risotto - Served 2 Ways
    (aka my recipe ramble for those who love the waffle)

    Random musings that occurred to me as I wrote this post:

    I wonder if George Clooneyย ever watches ER re-runs??? Or Oceans 11-13. Or Perfect Storm (Oh my heart!!!) Do you think he does? I mean I hate watching myself on film, do celebs get that??? Or do they just suck itย up and get over it?
    Secondly, why isn't ER on Netflix???? I love ER, it is a classic! It needs to be on Netflix. (I might start a campaign)

    Not sure where those random musings came from. I think possibly I am overly excited by theย thoughts of Valentines day!!!! Or maybe it is just the thought of George Clooney and Idris Elba.....Ooooh Errrr! Now there is a dream Valentines day!!!!

     


    If you loveย food why not subscribe to my newsletter, I will drop you an email every now and then, just to say hi and send you a couple of recipes think you might love, like this saffron and leek risotto.
    It isn't everyday! I am not that organised. Usually it is once a week (ish). And as a thank you I will send you my soup cookbook FREE. Full of my fav soups!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sarah Reid, CNP (@jo_jo_ba) says

      February 07, 2017 at 9:20 am

      I love leeks and saffron in ANYTHING. This would be dinner for one - forget sharing!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        February 07, 2017 at 10:43 am

        Haha, excellent! (although maybe if George asked very nicely ๐Ÿ˜‰ )

        Reply
    2. Andrea | From the Bookshelf says

      February 07, 2017 at 8:27 am

      Yum! This looks great!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        February 07, 2017 at 10:43 am

        Thank you Andrea

        Reply
    3. Wendy says

      February 06, 2017 at 8:37 am

      Pure comfort food....eat your heart out George!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        February 07, 2017 at 10:43 am

        Couldn't agree more!!!

        Reply
    4. The Ninja Baker says

      February 06, 2017 at 6:20 am

      Very gorgeous and scrumptious sounding, Claire =) Thank you for the keeper recipe. Pinning!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        February 07, 2017 at 10:44 am

        Thank you and thank you for the pin.
        Got to love comfort food you can eat with a spoon ๐Ÿ˜€

        Reply
    5. Dorothy Dunton says

      February 06, 2017 at 5:34 am

      Hi Claire. Your posts always make me smile. Gary and I often share bowls of food, it saves on dishes which is a plus. This creamy risotto is a bowl of comfort and Idris Elba, on my yes.

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        February 07, 2017 at 10:45 am

        So happy to see you here Dorothy xxx

        I am doing my bit for water conservation ๐Ÿ˜‰ so I am all for saving on washing up!!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply
    6. laura dembowski says

      February 06, 2017 at 2:36 am

      Risotto screams Valentine's Day! Yours looks wonderfully creamy. I love ER too and haven't seen it in years. I started watching it when I was in third grade!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        February 07, 2017 at 10:47 am

        I haven't seen it for years either! They don't seem to do re-runs!!!! I don't know why!

        Reply
    7. Jersey Girl Cooks says

      February 06, 2017 at 1:12 am

      5 stars
      We will be staying in too. Restaurants are way too crowded. Saffron makes risotto taste so good!

      Reply
      • Claire McEwen says

        February 07, 2017 at 10:47 am

        Yes, too crowded and they always want to make you have the set valentines day menu!!!!

        Reply

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