Leek and Pea Risotto with Grilled Calamari

A luxurious Italian risotto combining creamy Arborio rice with leeks and peas, topped with perfectly grilled calamari and finished with a bright lemon vinaigrette. This elegant dish balances the richness of risotto with the fresh flavors of seafood.

4 servings

45 min

Published October 4, 2025

Ingredients

•6 cups chicken stock such as leftover-roast-chicken stock
•5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
•1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
•1 whole scallion
•2 medium leeks
•1¼ cups Arborio rice
•¼ cup dry white wine
•½ cup frozen peas
•2 tablespoons unsalted butter
•⅓ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
•1 pound cleaned small squid
•1 piece large grill pan

Cooking Instructions

1.
Bring stock to a bare simmer in a medium saucepan, then keep at a bare simmer.
5 min
2.
Whisk together 2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, scallion, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl to make vinaigrette.
3 min
3.
Cook leeks in 2 tablespoons oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
8 min
4.
Add remaining tablespoon oil and rice to pot and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is coated evenly, about 1 minute. Add wine and briskly simmer, stirring, until most has been absorbed, about 1 minute.
2 min
5.
Add 1 cup hot stock and briskly simmer, stirring constantly, until stock has been absorbed. Continue simmering and adding hot stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next, until 1 cup stock is left, 15 to 18 minutes. Add peas, leeks, and remaining cup stock and cook, stirring, until rice is just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in butter and cheese, then remove from heat.
20 min
6.
When last cup of stock has been added to risotto, heat grill pan over high heat until hot. 3When risotto is done, season squid with 1/8 teaspoon salt and oil grill pan. Grill squid, pressing down with a spatula and turning halfway through, until opaque and just cooked through, about 1 minute total. Toss with enough lemon vinaigrette to coat.
5 min
7.
Serve risotto topped with calamari and drizzled with any remaining lemon vinaigrette.
2 min

Ingredients

•6 cups chicken stock such as leftover-roast-chicken stock

•5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

•1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

•1 whole scallion

•2 medium leeks

•1¼ cups Arborio rice

•¼ cup dry white wine

•½ cup frozen peas

•2 tablespoons unsalted butter

•⅓ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

•1 pound cleaned small squid

•1 piece large grill pan

Cooking Instructions

Bring stock to a bare simmer in a medium saucepan, then keep at a bare simmer.

5 min

Whisk together 2 tablespoons oil, lemon juice, scallion, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl to make vinaigrette.

3 min

Cook leeks in 2 tablespoons oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

8 min

Add remaining tablespoon oil and rice to pot and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is coated evenly, about 1 minute. Add wine and briskly simmer, stirring, until most has been absorbed, about 1 minute.

2 min

Add 1 cup hot stock and briskly simmer, stirring constantly, until stock has been absorbed. Continue simmering and adding hot stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition to be absorbed before adding the next, until 1 cup stock is left, 15 to 18 minutes. Add peas, leeks, and remaining cup stock and cook, stirring, until rice is just tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in butter and cheese, then remove from heat.

20 min

When last cup of stock has been added to risotto, heat grill pan over high heat until hot. 3When risotto is done, season squid with 1/8 teaspoon salt and oil grill pan. Grill squid, pressing down with a spatula and turning halfway through, until opaque and just cooked through, about 1 minute total. Toss with enough lemon vinaigrette to coat.

5 min

Serve risotto topped with calamari and drizzled with any remaining lemon vinaigrette.

2 min