Get the best of FrogMom
in your in-box every day.

    Family

    > From Trail to Table: Stinging Nettles Risotto with Preserved Lemon Recipe

    From Trail to Table: Stinging Nettles Risotto with Preserved Lemon Recipe

    IMG_4253 cover

    How would you like to make a free family dinner from your day’s hike? From trail to table is a new series of blog posts that I write about foraging for the family table. In the autumn, we made wild blackberry jam. This year, we waited for spring to find some tender green stinging nettles and packed rubber gloves and plastic bags on a hike with our girls. Our kids love eating stinging nettles and anything off the trail so this was a great culinary application of what the great outdoors can bring to you!

    Though stinging nettles are not usually associated with yummy things, they are delicious and their nutty taste makes them as easy to use as spinach (with added beta-carotene and vitamin C). Lucky for gourmet hikers of all ages, stinging nettles are very common on the trail and stinging nettles risotto is a guaranteed child-pleaser (it’s also very easy to make).

    Foraging Stinging Nettles

    IMG_4221

    First, make sure that you can positively identify stinging nettles. You can find out the hard way (get stung) or check out this handy guide with pics of stinging nettles at various stages of their life cycle.

    To forage for stinging nettles, make sure that you cover all exposed skin area so that you avoid being stung. In this picture, I am wearing:

    • long sleeves – to cover arms
    • kitchen rubber gloves – to protect fingers
    • high rain boots – to protect ankles

    It’s best to harvest only the top young leaves and if you can, only the leaves (not the stem). Just so.

    IMG_1718-001

    After 10 minutes, my husband and I had harvested roughly 6 oz / 170g. This is what it looks like in the bag.

    IMG_1717-001

    Hopeful, I thought that we had half a pound but volume can be deceiving. After weighing it on a scale at home, we clearly didn’t have that much.

    To make the stinging nettles risotto

    Wash and rinse the nettles and discard the tough stems. Bring a big pot of water to a boil and blanch for a couple minutes.

    IMG_4236

    Drain and set aside. When cool enough to handle, squeeze and chop on a board with a sharp knife.

    IMG_4238

    In a big pot, melt 30g / 1Tbs of butter and add one chopped onion. Sweat for 8 to 10 minutes.

    IMG_4237

    After 10 minutes, add 175g / 6.5 oz arborio rice to the onions and stir. Meanwhile, heat 900 ml / 2 US pints of fresh chicken stock in a separate pot. Add the stinging nettles and stir.

    IMG_4239

    Ladle in the chicken stock, ladle by ladle, over low heat and stir frequently to let the rice slowly absorb the liquid.

    IMG_4244

    Halfway through the cooking (which should take about 20 minutes), add 20cl / 1 cup of white wine and continue to stir. As you can see, we are very scientific about the 20 cl.

    IMG_4240

    If you are lucky to have lemons preserved in olive oil in your cupboards, now’s the time to finely chop a big lemon slice and add it to the risotto. If you don’t have preserved lemons, do’t worry. You can do without.

    Starred Photos54

    Keep adding the stock until it has all been absorbed. Right before serving, add 50 g / 2 oz of grated parmesan or pecorino romano and stir.

    IMG_4250

    This is it. Enjoy!

    From Trail to Table: Stinging Nettles Risotto with Preserved Lemon Recipe
     
    Prep time
    Cook time
    Total time
     
    Forage stinging nettles with the kids during the day and make this delicious risotto later for dinner. Packed with wild vitamin C, this risotto is an easy one-pot meal.
    Author:
    Recipe type: Main
    Cuisine: Foraging
    Serves: 8 cups
    Ingredients
    • 170g / 6 oz wild stinging nettles
    • 900 ml / 2 US pints fresh/good chicken stock (you can also use vegetarian stock)
    • 30g / 1 Tbsp butter
    • 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
    • 175g / 6.5 oz arborio rice
    • 1 big slice of lemon preserved in olive oil, chopped (optional)
    • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
    • 50g finely grated parmesan or pecorino romano
    Instructions
    1. Wash the nettles, pick them over and discard the tough stalks.
    2. Bring a large pan of water to a boil and blanch the nettles during a few minutes.
    3. Drain the nettles. When they are cool enough to handle, squeeze the water out and chop them finely with a sharp knife.
    4. In a large pot, melt the butter and add the chopped onion, making it sweat during 8 to 10 minutes.
    5. Meanwhile, heat the stock until almost boiling and keep warm over low heat.
    6. Add the rice to the onion and stir. Add the stinging nettles to the rice and onion and stir.
    7. Ladle in ⅓ of the stock and bring to a gentle simmer.
    8. Over low heat, add the stock, ladle by ladle, and stir frequently so that the rice absorbs the liquid. Halfway through, add the wine and chopped preserved lemon and continue to stir.
    9. When all the stock has been absorbed (around 20 minutes) stir in the parmesan and serve right away.
    Notes
    Preserved lemons can be found in oriental stores or in stores with a wide range of condiments.

     

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Rate this recipe: