Orzo is an Italian rice-shaped little pasta very appreciated because it offers many options to cook delicious recipes. That is thanks to its high culinary potential based on its composition. Indeed, this pasta is made of 100% high-quality enriched semolina durum wheat, making it the perfect pantry staple for delightful meals.
It
is pasta that can be enjoyed alone, in soup, or mixed with a
variety of spices, vegetables, and meats. It is incredibly versatile when cooking and works as a base to
create unforgettable recipes like the ones below. For more information about
this incredible food, you may want to visit riceselect.com/product/orzo and
learn about its characteristics and typical uses.
Among
the many recipes you can prepare with orzo, here we present you 3 of them that
you can cook to please your guests:
This
exquisite Italian-inspired Chicken Messina combines the flavors of balsamic
vinegar, capers, feta, pear and more.
Be
sure to have at hand the following ingredients for this preparation:
●
2
boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 ½ inch pieces.
●
1
cup of uncooked orzo pasta.
●
2
tablespoons of olive oil.
●
4
quarts of boiling water.
●
2
tablespoons of flour.
●
2
cups chicken stock, divided.
●
1
teaspoon of salt divided.
●
1
clove garlic, minced.
●
2
tablespoons of butter.
●
3
tablespoons of minced parsley.
●
¼
cup balsamic vinegar.
●
½
Bosc pear, cored and sliced.
●
½
teaspoon freshly ground pepper, divided.
●
1
tablespoon capers, drained.
●
6
tablespoons crumbled feta cheese.
Follow
these directions to cook your recipe:
1.
Cook
orzo following package indications.
2.
Stir
in butter and parsley and keep warm.
3.
Sprinkle
chicken with half of the salt and pepper, then dust it with flour.
4.
Put
oil in a large frying pan and heat it over medium-high heat.
5.
Add
chicken and sauté during 5 minutes or until browned.
6.
Add
garlic and sauté 10 seconds.
7.
Pour
1 cup of the chicken stock and let it boil for 1 minute, stirring to scrap up
brown bits.
8.
Reduce
heat and simmer 10 minutes.
9.
Add
the remaining salt and pepper.
10.
Increase
heat to high and pour remaining chicken stock, vinegar, and capers.
11.
Cook
about 8 minutes, stirring until consistency is syrupy.
12.
Place
orzo on serving platter, top with chicken mixture, sprinkle with feta cheese
and garnish with pear slices.
This
is a perfect recipe for you to cook the finest risotto with orzo pasta and fresh kale mixed with other delicious ingredients.
You
will need:
●
3
cups of uncooked orzo pasta.
●
6
cups of chicken, beef or vegetable broth.
●
1
medium onion, finely chopped.
●
2
tablespoons of unsalted butter.
●
2
tablespoons of olive oil.
●
1
teaspoon of salt.
●
2
cloves garlic, chopped.
●
1
teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
●
1
cup of dry white wine.
●
2
cups of baby kale, roughly chopped.
●
½
cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving.
For
this preparation you have to:
●
Heat
butter and oil in a large pot over medium.
●
Add
onion and garlic and cook.
●
Stir
occasionally, until soft. That will take about 5 minutes.
●
Add
wine, bring to a boil, and cook until liquid is reduced by half, 8–10 minutes.
●
Add
pasta and 2 cups broth and cook.
●
Stir
occasionally until almost all liquid is absorbed.
●
Continue
to add broth, stirring occasionally.
●
Also
add 1 cup at a time as the pasta absorbs liquid.
●
Put
kale with the last addition of broth and continue to cook and stir for 2 more minutes.
●
Add
cheese and stir until the mixture is creamy.
●
Season
with salt and pepper.
Serve
it immediately and top it with additional cheese, if desired.
This
soup offers exquisite Mediterranean flavors and it is easy to prepare. Just
follow the directions
You
will need:
●
½
cup of orzo pasta.
●
6
cups of low-sodium chicken broth.
●
6
large egg yolks.
●
1
½ cups shredded cooked chicken.
●
¼
cup fresh lemon juice.
●
kosher
salt and black pepper.
To
prepare this delighful recipe:
●
Use
a large saucepan and set it over medium-high heat.
●
Pour
the broth to a boil.
●
Add
orzo and boil until just tender.
●
Beat
the egg yolks in a bowl until light in color.
●
Slowly
pour 1 cup of the hot broth, stirring vigorously, until egg mixture is hot to
the touch. This way egg yolks will temper and will not cook and curdle.
●
Slowly
add the egg mixture to the saucepan.
●
Diminish
heat to medium, and cook, whisking occasionally, until mixture gets the
consistency of heavy cream, about 5 to 7 minutes.
●
Stir
in lemon juice.
●
Add
chicken and let it cook for an additional few minutes until heated through.
●
Season
with salt and pepper to taste.
You
can also prepare simple but delicious salads with orzo. After
cooking it the regular way, let it cool down and mix with fresh vegetables,
olives, cheese, herbs or greens. Drizzle with a vinaigrette or dressing. Serve
it as the main dish or as a side for your meal.
Some
recommendations to get more benefits from orzo:
●
Like
any other pasta, it can be served as a main dish or as a side dish.
●
It
can substitute any other pasta into any recipe.
●
You
can just add parmesan cheese and minced basil and have a savory and nutritive
meal.
●
Also
use it to stuff peppers, eggplants, zucchini or tomatoes.
●
This
pasta nutritionally speaking can provide mainly carbohydrates.
●
Use
it in your homemade soups for your kids as an alternative to the famous star o
letter soups.
To
cook orzo is very simple. You just need 2 quarts of water and 1
cup of orzo.
In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Then add salt and the pasta. Let it
cook uncovered for about 8 to 10 minutes, and it is ready. Drain and serve.
