Beet Risotto with Roasted Asparagus

  This is one of my favorite ways to use beets and it is the only way I have found to get people who don't enjoy beets normally, to eat them without complaining.  I shared this recipe a couple of years ago, but since I make it quite often, I decided it was time to update the picture.

 I made this when we had people over for dinner and it was a huge hit.  I love making risotto for dinner when people are over because it is fairly easy to make and always a crowd pleaser.
  I also love the colors and presentation of this dish.  It is delicious.  
Beet Risotto with Roasted Asparagus and Feta  adapted from Rachael Ray

6  1/2 cups vegetable or chicken broth

2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 cups arborio rice

2 baseball-size red or golden beets, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 small yellow or red onion, chopped

2 - 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut on a diagonal into 1-inch pieces

4 oz feta cheese, crumbled

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees . In a medium pot, warm the broth over medium heat. In a large, deep skillet or a medium Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoons olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Stir in the rice to coat with the oil, and toast for 2 minutes. Add the beets, onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and cook until absorbed into the rice, then begin adding broth a couple of ladles at a time, stirring with each addition, until the rice is cooked, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
2. While the risotto is working, on a baking sheet, toss the asparagus with the remaining 2 tablespoons EVOO, season with salt and pepper and roast for 10 minutes.
3. Serve shallow bowls of beet risotto with the roasted asparagus and crumbled cheese on top.