Crock Pot Ham and Pea Risotto Recipe

Name: Crock Pot Ham and Pea Risotto
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 135 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 1 onion (finely chopped); 1 shallot (minced); 2 cups arborio rice; 4 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1/2 cup white wine or pear nectar; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 1/2 cups frozen baby peas (thawed); 2 tablespoons butter; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; sliced leftover ham (optional)

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 2 hrs

Total: 2 hrs 15 mins

Servings: 6 to 8 servings

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Crock pot risotto is a wonderfully easy way to make a classic Italian dish with little effort. When making risotto the traditional way on the stovetop, you have to stir and stir to get the rice to release its starch as it cooks. In the slow cooker, you only have to stir twice, and this recipe will taste just like the traditional rich and creamy dish.

This recipe only takes two hours to make in the crock pot, so it's not one you can turn on and then leave the house. You do have to stick around to stir and add ingredients.

Arborio rice is short-grain rice with lots of amylopectins, a branched starch that makes the finished dish so creamy. It's essential for the success of this dish.

The pear nectar adds a slightly floral flavor to this recipe, and the wine adds wonderful flavor. Just add more chicken broth if you don't want to use wine or pear nectar.

The last time I made this I stirred in some chopped ham leftover from Easter. It was marvelous. You can also add cooked chicken, shrimp, or even meatballs.

Serve this recipe with a crisp green salad and some breadsticks or hot savory scones.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 shallot, minced
2 cups Arborio rice
4 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine, or pear nectar
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups frozen baby peas, thawed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sliced ham leftovers, optional

Gather the ingredients.
In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat. Add the onion and shallot; cook and stir until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the rice; cook and stir until the rice is slightly toasted, about 3 to 4 minutes longer.
Place the rice and onion mixture in a 3-quart slow cooker. Then, in a medium saucepan, combine the chicken broth, wine or pear nectar, and salt and pepper. Place the saucepan over low heat to warm.
Turn on the crock pot to low. Add the warm broth mixture and stir well.
Cover and cook on high for 1 hour, then remove the cover and stir. Cover again and cook 45 to 55 minutes longer until rice is almost tender. You may need to add another 1/2 to 1 cup of the broth if you like a soupier risotto.
Stir in the peas and 2 tablespoons butter. Cook on high 15 to 20 minutes longer until rice is tender. Stir in the cheese, turn off the slow cooker, and let stand 10 minutes. Stir again and serve immediately.

If you happen to have some leftover ham handy, consider slicing it up and adding to this delicious dish.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
221	Calories
10g	Fat
23g	Carbs
8g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories	221
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g	12%
Saturated Fat 6g	28%
Cholesterol 29mg	10%
Sodium 852mg	37%
Total Carbohydrate 23g	9%
Dietary Fiber 2g	7%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 4mg	22%
Calcium 130mg	10%
Iron 2mg	8%
Potassium 162mg	3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.