A Week of Quinoa: Day 4: Asparagus and Shrimp Quinoa Risotto

Dang. Just look at this:

Right??

It surpassed my wildest hopes... it quite simply kicked ass. A few things: 1) This would be just as amazing vegetarian. Just omit shrimp (duh) and use veg stock instead of chicken. I would possibly add more asparagus or a few chopped tomatoes and things would be amawwzing. 2) I have never used cream cheese in risotto before, and I feel like an idiot now. Just, wow. 3) I browsed the net and noticed that many people make "cheater" quinoa risotto by simply using pre-cooked quinoa and just adding stuff to it. That may do the trick, but the results of the tried and true "ladle of stock at a time" method are so perfect that it just might be worth the extra time. And stirring😜

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups rinsed quinoa (I used red and regular quinoa)

* 6- 8 cups stock ( I used chicken)

* one cup white wine (or more stock if you don't do wine) (shudders)

* chopped onion and chopped fresh garlic (I used like 6 cloves...😜)

* 1/2 pound raw shrimp ( or use coojed and just add at end)

* bunch asparagus

*whack- loads of fresh grated parm ( I used at least on cup)

* salt, pepper, basil,bay leaf, fresh lemon, chopped green onion and chopped chives

* olive oil, butter, 1/4 pkg cream cheese

Instructions

Sautee onion and garlic in oil a few minutes, add butter, then drained quinoa

Sautee quinoa a few minutes, stirring. Add wine, half cup at a time. This is medium heat.

Meanwhile, bring stock to a low boil and add shrimp. Simmer until pink then strain out and put aside. Return stock to medium heat.

When wine is absorbed, add a ladle of chicken broth and your seasonings. Stir, cover, but stay close!

Contine to add stock a ladle at a time until fully absorbed. Stir often and lid when you can. Add your asparagus at this point and a little more white wine if needed. At this point add your butter and cream cheese.

See that meltiness?😜

Dump in your cooked shrimp, your grated parm and sqeeze half your lemon in. Stir and taste. Adjust seasonings. Add chopped green onion and chives and fresh basil if you have some! (I didn't)