The dish bursts with colors - the creamy white risotto is dotted with pink clam meat, sprinkles of bright green peas and herbs here and there, and specks of red chili flakes. It is served in an elegant, shallow bowl, with a hint of the golden broth peeking from the edges.

Spiced Clam Risotto with Winter Vegetables

Name: Spiced Clam Risotto with Winter Vegetables
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: clams, 2 pounds scrubbed and de-bearded; Arborio rice, 1 cup; fish stock, 2 cups; white wine, 1 cup; seasonal winter vegetables, 1 cup leeks, peppers, and frozen peas thinly sliced; garlic cloves, 2 minced; shallots, 2 finely diced; Chinese five-spice powder, 1 teaspoon; Parmesan cheese, 1 cup grated; extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons; salt and pepper, to taste

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 40 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Gluten-Free

Daily Recipe: December 16, 2025

This innovative 'Fusion' recipe brings together the briny delight of clams with the depth of Italian Arborio rice and the aromatic allure of Asian spices. Sprinkled with seasonal vegetables, this warm and comforting dish provides a unique, unforgettable taste journey.

Ingredients (for 4)

Clams - 2 pounds - scrubbed and de-bearded
Arborio rice - 1 cup
Fish stock - 2 cups
White wine - 1 cup
Seasonal winter vegetables - 1 cup - leeks, peppers, and frozen peas thinly sliced
Garlic cloves - 2 - minced
Shallots - 2 - finely diced
Chinese five-spice powder - 1 teaspoon
Parmesan cheese - 1 cup - grated
Extra virgin olive oil - 3 tablespoons
Salt and pepper - to taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍳🧄🧅

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot. Add finely diced shallots and minced garlic, cooking until translucent.
Step 2 - 🍚🔥🥄

Add Arborio rice into the pot, stir until each grain is coated in oil and has a slightly toasted appearance.
Step 3 - 🍷🐟🥣

Pour in the white wine, letting it simmer and absorb completely before adding the fish stock gradually, one cup at a time.
Step 4 - 🥘🥕🧂

In a separate pan, drizzle the remaining olive oil, add the seasonal winter vegetables and Chinese five-spice powder. Sauté until tender.
Step 5 - 🥘🦪💨

Add clams to the vegetable pan, cover and let it steam until all clams open up.
Step 6 - 🍲🦪🥦

Combine the opened clams along with all the vegetables into the risotto pot, stirring gently.
Step 7 - 🧀🧂😋

Remove risotto from heat, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper before serving.

Additional

This distinctive 'Fusion' dish is as fascinating to cook as it is to eat. Kids can help clean and prepare the vegetables. You can add a bit of sautéed bacon for extra flavor or replace Arborio with brown rice if preferred.