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2016 was the first year both kids attended full-time school. I honestly thought this new season of life would be easier and more relaxed for me, since I would have a quiet workspace (which happens to be my kitchen) during working hours.
While it was so nice to have some quiet time during the day to focus on recipe work, writing, and photography, my days seemed to be busier than ever before.
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Mornings had to start early, if I was going to enjoyany kind of workout. After working out, I’d rush home to shower, pack lunches, make breakfast, wake up the kids and Dustin, and hurry to get out the door by 8:30am. After dropping the kids off at school, I’d rush back home to squeeze in as much work as possible (freelance projects, writing and testing recipes for a new eBook thatwill be coming out this summer, and blog stuff).
My workingtime always seemed so short, no matter how well I structured and prioritized my days. Before I knew it, the alarm on my phonewould demand that I leave again to pick up the kids. Once the kids were in their carseats and ready to go home,the afternoon rush would start: patiently waiting in afternoon traffic, making dinner, washing the dishes, scrubbing little bodies, bedtime stories, fivetrips down the stairs to get water and bedtime snacks, and then finally falling into bed myself.
The school year felt busy, but it wasn’t a bad busy. More like a full busy. It wasn’t that we crowded our days with a million extra, unnecessary activities. Rather, we just entereda new season of life. A season that requiresearlier mornings, waiting patiently in traffic and school carlines, and simpler meals.
With this new season of life, I found myself quickly rethinking what simple (real) food lookslike.
For me, keeping a rotating listof simple and nourishing meals became critical toenjoying real food throughout the week. On the weekends, when life slowed down, we could enjoy new or more complicated meals, including homemade cookies or homemade bread.
Along with these simple meals, I’ve been learning to use a couple of appliances that allow me to spend less time in the kitchen during the week: the slow cooker, Instant Pot, and blender.
Many of our favorite slow cooker meals (in addition to the recipes on Live Simply) have come from a cookbook by Gina from SkinnyTaste,SkinnyTaste Fast and Slow.
I’ve also been incredibly thankful forHelen for sharing more Instant Pot recipes here on Live Simply. As you know, I had a bit of an Instant Pot fear to get over at first, but now I’m in love. The Instant Pot, just like the slow cooker, isn’t something I pull out on a daily basis, but it’s so nice to know that I can rely on this appliance (to make certain meals, like chicken or soup) when time is tight and Idon’t want to spend a lot of timeinthe kitchen.
And finally, my blender. Smoothies have become part of our rotating breakfast menu, because they’re just so simple and easy to customize. Our morning smoothies areoftentimespaired with hardboiled or scrambled eggs, banana bread slices from the freezer (Sunday prep time has alsobecame ultra-critical this year.), egg cups, avocado toast, or even a basic bowl of oatmeal. Smoothies only take a few minutes to make, at the most, and can be made with as many, or as a few, nourishing ingredients as desired.
Today’s Instant Pot recipe, Spring Risotto, is one more recipe that’s been added to my ever-growing list.
Risotto is usually considered a “high maintenance” food to make. The Instant Pot simplifies the entire risotto making process with just the press of a button (and a bit of sautéing in the beginning). Risotto can be made in 10 minutes, from start to finish–it’s really quite impressive.
This risotto is called “Spring Risotto” because it calls for peas and fresh lemon zest, but don’t let the title stop you from making it year-round. Peas are a staple in my freezerand lemons are available year-round in grocery stores, so while this dish may be inspired by the fresh flavors of spring, it’s one to make anytime you need a quick side dish.
5 from 4 votes
Quick and Easy Instant Pot Spring Risotto (Pressure-Cooker Recipe)
A quick and easy, 10-minute risotto made in the Instant Pot.
Kristin Marr
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Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time6 minutes mins
Total Time11 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings, as a side
Calories 284 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups arborio rice
- 3 cups chicken broth If you're using store-bought broth, use no-salt added broth.
- 1 TB extra virgin olive oil
- 1 TB butter
- 2 medium garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon zested, about 1 tablespoon zest
- 1 cup frozen peas preferably petite peas*
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 2 ounces**
Instructions
Set the Instant Pot to Saute.
Once hot, add the butter and olive oil.
Rinse the rice and gently shake it dry; carefully add the rice to the Instant Pot along with the garlic. Saute the rice and garlic (in the butter and olive oil) for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the broth, parsley, salt, pepper, and lemon zest (you don't need the juice, just the zest for this recipe). Stir to combine the ingredients.
Set the lid vent to sealing, then cook on Manual High Pressure for 6 minutes.
Carefully perform a quick release of the pressure when cooking is done (use a towel or oven mitt to do this so you don't burn your hand).
Stir in the peas and parmesan cheese, and taste for seasoning (adding more salt and/or pepper, as desired). You might still see liquid on the rice, but it should stir in.
Add more broth if the risotto is too dry for your liking, or saute for a bit if the risotto is too wet. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Calories: 284kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 8gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 964mgPotassium: 226mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 315IUVitamin C: 27.5mgCalcium: 110mgIron: 2.9mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
Kristin Marr
Kristin is the creator and editor-in-chief of Live Simply. Kristin is married to her high school sweetheart, Dustin, and is the mom to two kids and two free-roam (litterbox-trained) bunnies, Leo and Estela. Kristin started Live Simply in 2013 to share her passion for real food and natural living.
