Risotto with asparagus

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups rice
1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
1 lbs. fresh green asparagus
extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup freshly ground parmesan
unsalted butter
about 6-7 cups vegetable broth if you can find it otherwise use chicken broth

Instructions:
1. Wash and trim off the tough end of the asparagus, leaving the tips and the tender part of the stalk.
2. Put the stalks in a pan of water leaving the tips out. When the water starts to boil add salt.
3. Cook the asparagus until tender. Cook the tips only for the last few minutes since they are more tender and cook quickly.
4. Remove the asparagus tips and chop the stalks in small pieces and cook them for a few minutes in 1-1/2 Tbsp. butter. Cook the tips apart in 1 Tbsp. butter (don't brown them!).
5. Put the asparagus stalks through a vegetable ricer and then blend them in a food processor to make a smooth sauce. Just set the tips aside for now.
6. In the meantime heat up a pan with 1 1/2 Tbsp butter + 1 Tbsp. olive oil and add the chopped onions. Cook them until soft and translucent. If they get too dry add few spoons of water or broth.
7. When the onions are ready add the rice, combine it well with the onions and butter, and toast it for about 2-3 minutes at high heat.
8. Then add the asparagus sauce and a cup of broth to the rice and mix it in well.
9. Once the rice has absorbed the sauce add about 2 cups hot broth and reduce the heat to medium (canned broth should work well). Mix it frequently.
10. Continue adding broth a bit at a time until the rice is nearly cooked. This will take practice since every rice cooks differently.
11. When the rice is a few minutes from finished add the asparagus tips
and mix well.
12. After a minute or so add 2 Tbsp. butter and the Parmesan. Remove
from the stove, cover the pan with the lid and let it stand for few minutes.