Ingredients

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp butter
• 2 medium courgettes (about 350g), cut into 1-2cm dice
• pinch of chilli flakes or pul biber
• pinch of grated nutmeg
• 2 spring onions, finely sliced
• ½ lemon, zested
• 150g risotto rice
• 75ml dry white wine or vermouth
• 750g warm vegetable or chicken stock
• 80g broad beans, blanched and peeled
• courgette flowers, stamen removed and petals torn (optional)
• 20g parmesan or vegetarian alternative, grated, plus extra to serve

For the pesto

• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts
• large handful of basil leaves, plus extra to serve
• handful of mint leaves
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp grated parmesan or vegetarian alternative

Directions

Method

• STEP 1

  To make the pesto, crush the garlic to a paste with a pinch of salt using a pestle and mortar. Add the pine nuts and pound to a coarse paste, then tear in the basil and mint, pounding again until they’ve broken down. Stir in the oil and cheese, then taste for seasoning – add more cheese if you like.

• STEP 2

  Heat the oil and butter in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the courgettes, sprinkle in the chilli flakes and nutmeg, and season with salt and pepper. Fry for 3-5 mins until the courgettes are golden and softened. Add the spring onions and lemon zest, and stir for a minute or two. Tip in the rice and stir to coat in the oil until translucent, about 2 mins.

• STEP 3

  Pour in the wine, then cook for a couple of minutes until it’s mostly evaporated. Add a ladleful of the stock and stir for a few minutes until it’s absorbed. Continue adding a ladleful at a time for 20-30 mins, stirring continually, until all of the stock is absorbed.

• STEP 4

  Stir in the blanched broad beans and flowers, if using, and warm through for 2 mins. Remove from the heat and stir through the parmesan. Allow to sit for about 5 mins, then swirl through half of the pesto. Any remaining pesto will keep chilled for up to two days.

• STEP 5

  Divide the risotto between bowls and scatter with the extra basil leaves, extra cheese and another spoonful of the pesto, if you like.