Vibrant, bright and full of the flavours of spring, this quick Millet & Quinoa Risotto is made with nourishing ancient grains and plenty of greens from Daylesford Organic’s Market Garden. Perfect for Spring alfresco dining!

Serves 4

Ingredients 

50g butter

1 leek, finely chopped

1 small stick celery, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

130g quinoa

130g millet

150ml white wine

900ml chicken or vegetable stock

2 tbsp parsley, chopped

2 tbsp chives, chopped

1 tbsp tarragon, chopped

2 handfuls watercress leaves, chopped

squeeze of lemon juice

50g soft cheese, to serve

salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

Melt the butter in a large pan and once foaming add the chopped leek, celery and garlic. Add a little salt and pepper and sweat over a medium heat for 10 minutes until soft and translucent.

Tip the quinoa and millet into the pan and stir well to coat the grains in the butter and vegetables. Add the white wine and stir over the heat until the liquid has almost entirely been absorbed. Next add one third of the stock, bring to a gentle simmer and cook until most of the liquid has been soaked up by the grains, stirring every few minutes. Repeat with one third more of the stock and lastly, the final third.

Once nearly all of the stock has been absorbed, stir in the chopped herbs and watercress followed by the lemon juice and a little more salt and pepper. Continue to cook for a minute or two, taste and adjust the seasoning adding more salt, pepper or lemon juice as needed.

To serve, pile the risotto into bowls and top with the crumbled soft cheese and a garnish of your choice such as pea shoots, herbs or shavings of raw asparagus as we have done.

Recipe taken from Daylesford’s spring e-book available to download here!