Advent Post #16: Jack's Welsh Lamb, Rocket & Parmesan Risotto

My son has 2 passions - Minecraft & cooking! So when we're providing screen-time distraction cooking is always the answer! Most families (mine included!) often cook sweet treats with their children, but I've come to realise that cooking of savoury dishes is actually a greater life skill as you can't live off cupcakes once you've left home!

We first tried this dish whilst sampling some tasty delights at a Christmas Market event in Portmeirion and was loved by all of us, so armed with the handy recipe book provided by Meat Promotion Wales my son made it for us one evening this week.

 

The verdict - still as delicious as when the professional made it! So here's the recipe - enjoy!

Lamb, Rocket & Parmesan Risotto
Takes 30-35 mins, serves 2 very generous portions (but we served 2 adults and 2 children!)

Ingredients
225g lean Welsh lamb leg steaks, cut into small cubes
1 tsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
150g risotto (Arborio) rice
1 pint stock
Black pepper
50g sugar snap peas, sliced
50g frozen peas
Rocket leaves
Parmesan cheese or mature Cheddar cheese

Method

1. Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and lightly fry the onion and lean lamb cubes.
2. Add the risotto rice and stir thoroughly.
3. Add a little stock and bring to the boil, add plenty of black pepper, add the remaining stock gradually and give it a good stir every now and again, simmering gently for about 30 mins or until the rice is cooked and all the liquid has been absorbed. (Add a little more stock to achieve your desired texture/consistency).
4. During the last 5 mins of cooking time add the sugar snap peas and frozen peas, stir together and cook until the sugar snaps just start to soften.
5. Season and finish off with a handful of rocket and grated parmesan cheese or a strong Cheddar cheese.

We were so impressed with my son's cooking of this recipe! He's decided that he wants to take part in Masterchef when he's older and this is what he will cook! I hope he sticks to this dream (along with being a train driver and pilot!) and gains his Michelin stars!