King Prawn Risotto

Boil the water (amount specified in the ingredient list) in a large saucepan over high heat. Add the vegetable stock pot, stir to dissolve and reduce the heat to low. Put a glug of oil in another large saucepan on medium heat. Add the shallot and leek with a pinch of salt and a grind of black pepper and cook until soft, 5-6 mins. Stir in the garlic and basil stalks and cook for 1 minute more.

Pour in the arborio rice and stir to coat in the oil. Cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine vinegar and allow it to evaporate. Then add a ladleful of stock and cook, stirring, until it has been absorbed by the rice. Keep the pan on medium heat, adding stock and stirring until the rice is done, 20-25 mins. It should be soft with a hint of firmness in the middle. * TIP *: Let the rice absorb each ladleful of stock before adding another.

When the rice is almost cooked (taste to see!), stir in the halved prawns, and cook gently, 4-5 mins. * TIP *: The prawns are cooked when pink on the outside and opaque all the way through. Remove your pan from the heat. Meanwhile, heat a splash of oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the asparagus until tender, 4-5 mins. Season with salt and black pepper and transfer to a plate. Keep warm, covered with foil.

Leave the frying pan on the heat and stirfry the whole prawns. Cook until pink on the outside and opaque in the centre, 4-5 mins. When done, remove from the heat and add a squeeze of lemon juice. Tear the basil leaves and sprinkle half over the prawns, along with the dukkah spice mix.