Lemon Envy

There are so many incredible lemon recipes out there on the internet lately, I’ve been craving lemon.

I tried my hand at a lemon roll cake last week but it wasn’t much of a looker and the taste was nothing to get excited about either. So I kept looking for a recipe with a lemony twist I would like. And then I found it.


A risotto cake. A baked risotto of sorts but that holds its shape when cut into wedges. I served it with some Italian sausages and sliced tomatoes and it was gorgeous. I might just try other flavors of risotto baked this way, it’s much less complicated and it can wait a little bit in the oven while I make the rest of the meal. That’s a good thing when three kids are running around the kitchen and I have ten things to do at once!

Lemon and Herb Risotto Cake
Adapted from Allrecipes

1 leek, thinly sliced
3 cups chicken stock, divided
1 cup uncooked short-grain white rice
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 sprigs fresh parsley, for garnish
1 lemon - cut into wedges, for garnish

Place the leek and ½ cup of the chicken stock in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 5 minutes, until leek is tender. Add the rice, and the remaining chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 inch springform pan.

When the rice is tender, remove the pan from the heat, and stir in the lemon zest, chives, parsley and mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into the springform pan, and spread evenly. Cover the top of the pan with aluminum foil.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and lightly browned. Run a thin spatula or knife around the outer edge of the pan, and invert the cake onto a serving plate. Serve hot or cold, sliced into wedges. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges.