Tempting Tiger Prawn Risotto

START THE 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.

COOK THE RISOTTO. 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.

ASPARAGUS TIME! When the rice is almost cooked (taste to see!), stir in the chopped 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.

COOK THE PRAWNS. 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.