You’re going to love this Lobster Risotto Primavera Recipe! The first summer we had our house in Maine, we took my in-laws to a wonderful restaurant in Portland called Five Fifty-Five. The special of the day was Lobster Risotto. My mother-in-law and I both had it and never forgot it. It was that good! The beautiful saffron-colored rice flecked with chunks of sweet and briny lobster meat was, to put it simply, perfection.

Unfortunately, since then Five Fifty-Five has permanently closed. I can still remember the taste, comfort and flavor of that lobster risotto dish, so I had to recreate my own (of course healthier) version.

My version of the Lobster Risotto Primavera Recipe:

This Lobster Risotto Primavera recipe comes pretty close to the one we enjoyed at Five Fifty-Five that summer so long ago. It uses clam broth that adds a delicate seafood taste, balanced with chicken broth. The shallots and leeks give the right amount of bitter to cut through the cheese and sweet lobster meat. And the saffron, need I say more? It’s just so delicious!

This is a perfect dish to make while entertaining guests and for special occasions. You can enjoy this taste of summer any time of the year!

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Lobster Risotto Primavera Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups clam broth
• 2 cups good quality chicken broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup minced shallots
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced leeks white and light green
• 1/2 cup minced carrots
• 1/4 cup minced fennel
• Generous pinch saffron threads
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lb good quality cooked lobster meat
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh chives for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine clam juice and chicken broth in a pot and bring to a simmer.

2. Heat oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots, leeks, and fennel and carrots. Saute until vegetables are softened. About 7 minutes.

3. Add saffron and rice to vegetables, stirring until rice becomes translucent about 3 minutes.

4. Begin adding broth mixture one cup at a time to the rice, constantly stirring until liquid is absorbed before adding the next cup.

5. When most of the broth is absorbed after about 25minutes, the rice should be al dente, moist, and lightly clinging together. Add the wine and continue to stir until it is absorbed into the rice.

6. Stir in the lobster and any liquid it came with, stir to heat through. Add the Parmesan cheese and continue stirring. Remove from heat, add salt and pepper to taste. 

7. If the rice seems sticky, add a pat of butter and a bit more broth and stir to loosen it.

8. Serve in individual bowls garnished with chopped chives.

Recipe Notes

Serves 4 as an entree or 8 as an appetizer

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Kristen Coffield

I am a passionate advocate for food as medicine, life navigator and culinary coach. This is my space for sharing what excites, inspires and motivates me to live my best life. It began as a recipe blog for nourishing, simple, weekday meals and has become something much bigger… a guide to resilient wellness. I am excited to share my knowledge of how daily habits can cumulatively help you to live like you mean it and age like you want to.