Cheshire Cheese and Mediterranean Vegetable Risotto

This easy, creamy Cheshire cheese risotto is ideal for healthy family meals and for entertaining – it is so easy to adapt! The basic recipe is vegetarian – so it's perfect for non-meat eaters, though the risotto could be served topped with grilled chicken breasts, roast or grilled fish or pan-fried pork tenderloin – making it a very flexible dish. Serves 4.
Preparation time – 15 minutes
Cooking time – 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
300g/10oz arborio or carnaroli rice
1 bunch spring onions, finely chopped
150ml/¼ pint dry white wine
1 red and yellow pepper, deseeded and chopped
1 courgette, chopped
75g/3oz closed cup mushrooms, sliced
1 litre/1 ¾ pints hot vegetable or chicken stock
110g/4oz Cheshire cheese, finely crumbled
Freshly ground black pepper
Basil leaves, to garnish