Baked asparagus, bacon and spinach risotto
Ingredients
- 125g bacon, chopped
 - 30ml (2 tbsp) butter
 - 45ml (3 tbsp) olive oil
 - 2 garlic cloves, crushed
 - 6 leeks, sliced
 - 250ml (1 cup) Arborio rice
 - 120g fresh spinach, chopped
 - 500ml (2 cups) chicken stock, hot
 - salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
 - 200g asparagus, blanched and sliced
 - 100g Parmesan, freshly grated, plus extra for serving
 - 150ml fresh cream
 - 45ml (3 tbsp) crème fraîche
 
Instructions
					1
					
						
				
										
						
															Preheat the oven to 180°C.
					2
					
						
				
										
						
															In a frying pan on the stove, fry the bacon in its own fat until it is cooked through and crispy. Remove and set aside until needed.
					3
					
						
				
										
						
															In the same pan, melt the butter and oil and sauté the garlic and leeks for a few minutes. Add the rice and stir well to combine with the leeks.
					4
					
						
				
										
						
															Transfer the rice mixture to a deep, ovenproof dish and stir in the spinach. Pour over the stock and season. Cover and bake for about 30 minutes.
					5
					
						
				
										
						
															Stir in the asparagus, Parmesan and bacon and continue to bake until the liquid is almost absorbed, about a further 10 minutes.
					6
					
						
				
										
						
															Mix the cream and crème fraîche together, pour gently over the risotto and stir to combine well. Bake for a further 5 minutes.
					7
					
						
				
										
						
		Serve hot with the extra Parmesan.

