Broad bean, feta and mint risotto recipe
 A simple vegetarian risotto by the Hairy Bikers that uses wonderfully fresh British vegetables and herbs. 250g/10oz broad beans 50g/2oz butter3 tbsp olive oil1 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves1 onion, finely chopped2 garlic cloves, crushed3-4 sprigs fresh thyme1 long strip lemon zest1 bay leaf150g/5oz Arborio risotto rice150ml/5oz dry white wine750ml/1 pint 7fl oz hot vegetable stock100g/3½oz peas1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into short lengths100g/3½oz fresh runner beans, de-stringed and cut into long thin strips100g/3½oz feta, drained and crumbled into small piecessea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepperparmesan, or vegetarian alternative, to serve (optional) 250g/10oz broad beans 50g/2oz butter 3 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme 1 long strip lemon zest 1 bay leaf 150g/5oz Arborio risotto rice 150ml/5oz dry white wine 750ml/1 pint 7fl oz hot vegetable stock 100g/3½oz peas 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into short lengths 100g/3½oz fresh runner beans, de-stringed and cut into long thin strips 100g/3½oz feta, drained and crumbled into small pieces sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper parmesan, or vegetarian alternative, to serve (optional) Method Fill a saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the broad beans and return to the boil. Cook for one minute then drain in a colander under running water until cold. Remove the beans from their skins and set aside. Mix the mint with two tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside.Melt 25g/1oz of the butter with the remaining oil in a large non-stick saucepan and fry the onion and garlic for five minutes until softened, but not coloured. Stir in the thyme, lemon zest, bay leaf and risotto rice and cook for a few seconds more until the rice is glistening.Pour the wine in to the pan and boil over a medium heat until the liquid has reduced by half. Slowly start adding the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring well between each addition. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the liquid has almost all been absorbed before adding more. Cook for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender. Meanwhile, fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Cook the runner beans for three minutes, or until tender. Drain in a colander then return to the pan and toss with a small knob of the remaining butter and plenty of ground black pepper.Remove the thyme and lemon zest from the rice and discard. Stir in the broad beans, peas and asparagus with the remaining stock and cook for three minutes until tender, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat and stir in the feta. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover with a lid and set aside.Add the remaining butter to the risotto and stir. Spoon into four deep plates and tap gently on the work surface to spread the risotto slightly. Spoon over the minted olive oil. Top with the runner beans and shavings of fresh parmesan and serve immediately. Fill a saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the broad beans and return to the boil. Cook for one minute then drain in a colander under running water until cold. Remove the beans from their skins and set aside. Mix the mint with two tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside. Fill a saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Add the broad beans and return to the boil. Cook for one minute then drain in a colander under running water until cold. Remove the beans from their skins and set aside. Mix the mint with two tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside. Melt 25g/1oz of the butter with the remaining oil in a large non-stick saucepan and fry the onion and garlic for five minutes until softened, but not coloured. Stir in the thyme, lemon zest, bay leaf and risotto rice and cook for a few seconds more until the rice is glistening. Melt 25g/1oz of the butter with the remaining oil in a large non-stick saucepan and fry the onion and garlic for five minutes until softened, but not coloured. Stir in the thyme, lemon zest, bay leaf and risotto rice and cook for a few seconds more until the rice is glistening. Pour the wine in to the pan and boil over a medium heat until the liquid has reduced by half. Slowly start adding the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring well between each addition. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the liquid has almost all been absorbed before adding more. Cook for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender. Pour the wine in to the pan and boil over a medium heat until the liquid has reduced by half. Slowly start adding the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring well between each addition. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the liquid has almost all been absorbed before adding more. Cook for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender. Meanwhile, fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Cook the runner beans for three minutes, or until tender. Drain in a colander then return to the pan and toss with a small knob of the remaining butter and plenty of ground black pepper. Meanwhile, fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to the boil. Cook the runner beans for three minutes, or until tender. Drain in a colander then return to the pan and toss with a small knob of the remaining butter and plenty of ground black pepper. Remove the thyme and lemon zest from the rice and discard. Stir in the broad beans, peas and asparagus with the remaining stock and cook for three minutes until tender, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat and stir in the feta. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover with a lid and set aside. Remove the thyme and lemon zest from the rice and discard. Stir in the broad beans, peas and asparagus with the remaining stock and cook for three minutes until tender, stirring regularly. Remove from the heat and stir in the feta. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover with a lid and set aside. Add the remaining butter to the risotto and stir. Spoon into four deep plates and tap gently on the work surface to spread the risotto slightly. Spoon over the minted olive oil. Top with the runner beans and shavings of fresh parmesan and serve immediately. Add the remaining butter to the risotto and stir. Spoon into four deep plates and tap gently on the work surface to spread the risotto slightly. Spoon over the minted olive oil. Top with the runner beans and shavings of fresh parmesan and serve immediately.