5 Easy Risotto Recipes

Once you get the technique down, you can pretty much toss anything you like into the risotto to create different dinners -- here, we're using fresh herbs. Just know that the flavor is only as good as the stock used -- homemade is best, but good-quality packaged will work too.

In the mood for seafood? Toss some shrimp in with your risotto. For a richer taste, add extra butter or olive oil.

Mushrooms are high in potassium and in taste; use a variety of them in this recipe and your risotto will be bursting with flavor.

For a fruity twist, add lemon zest and lemon juice -- the fresher, the better.

Looking to get your kid to eat more vegetables? Try adding peas to your risotto base. It will make the dish more colorful, and he'll get a dinner packed with nutrients.

Originally published in the September 2011 issue of Parents magazine.