Cranberry Pecan Orzo Recipes

CRANBERRY PECAN AND ORANGE ORZO PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the orzo pasta according to package until al dente. Run under cold water and put in large mixing bowl.
• Add the the dried cranberries, pecans, Italian parsley to the orzo pasta. In a small bowl or mason jar whisk together the orange juice, red wine vinegar, sugar and honey.
• Pour the dressing over the orzo salad and mix well. Top with freshly grated orange zest and extra fresh Italian parsley for garnish.

ORZO WITH CELERY, CRANBERRIES AND PECANS

Steps:

• STUFFING: Melt butter with olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add diced onion, cooking 4 minutes or until onions are translucent and golden brown.
• Add celery; cook 4 minutes longer.
• In a large bowl, combine the drained orzo, cooked celery and onion, cranberries, nuts, basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss gently.
• At this point, if desired, the orzo is now ready to be stuffed.
• Variations:.
• As a SIDE DISH: Heat up the olive oil and butter in a saute pan on medium heat. Saute the celery, onion and UNCOOKED orzo pasta until lightly browned.
• Add 3 cups water or broth and bring to boil. Cover pan, reduce heat and simmer on low for 20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.
• Remove from heat and stir in the cranberries, pecans, fresh basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• To make it as a SALAD: boil orzo and cook until tender. Drain and rinse under cool water. Drain again. Transfer orzo to a salad bowl. Add the diced onion, minced celery and shredded basil to the pasta. In a small non-reactive bowl, whisk together about 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice (play around with the proportion and amount of oil and lemon juice as desired), salt and pepper. Stir the vinaigrette into the orzo. FYI: the butter is omitted.

ORZO SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES & PECANS

Steps:

• In a small pan, bring water to boil.
• Stir in orzo and cook until just tender, then drain.
• Combine the warm orzo, cranberries, carrots and cucumber in a medium bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, oil, mustard and honey (and optional thyme if using).
• Pour over orzo mixture and stir to coat.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Stir in scallions and pecans just before serving.
• Garnish with basil or extra cucumber slices.

CRANBERRY-PECAN RUGELACH

Steps:

• With electric mixer (beater), cream together butter and cream cheese. With mixer on low, gradually add in flour. Form into 3 squat disks. Wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan, cover the cranberries with water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let cool. Drain. In a small bowl, combine pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough into a 10-inch circles. Paint with the melted butter. Sprinkle with the sugar/nut mixture and cranberries. With a pizza wheel, cut into 12 wedges. Roll up the wedges and line them up on a parchment lined or nonstick cookie sheet. Paint the rugelach with the egg wash. Bake for 15 minutes or set and light golden.

CRANBERRY-PECAN ORZO

Steps:

• Zest oranges, placing zest in a large bowl. Juice oranges, and soak cranberries in the juice in a small bowl. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. While pasta is cooking, chop scallions and place in bowl with orange zest. Add the pecans, drained orzo, cranberries and orange juice, and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil until pasta looks moist. Serve immediately, or chill for later. Can be made a day ahead.

CRANBERRY-PECAN TARTS

Steps:

• Blend crust ingredients together. If making small tartlets, divide into 24 small balls. If making large size tarts, divide into 12 balls. Cover with plastic wrap and chill. Press each ball onto bottom and up sides of tart tins and chill until ready to fill.
• Meanwhile, bring orange juice to boil in a small saucepan. Take off heat and add chopped cranberries. Cover and let soak for 15 minutes. Then drain well and blot with paper towel; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Mix all the remaining ingredients well, except the pecans, until smooth. Then add the pecans and cranberries. Divide the filling evenly among the tart tins and bake for approximately 35 minutes for the small tarts and 45 minutes for the larger tarts or until the crust is golden brown.

PISTACHIO CRANBERRY ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a nonstick skillet, saute shallot in oil and butter for 1 minute. Add the pistachios; saute for 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned. , Stir in the cranberries, cream, broth and wine. Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until thickened. Drain orzo; add to cranberry mixture. Season with salt and pepper.

CRANBERRY PECAN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spread pecans evenly on a baking sheet. Toast for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant.
• In a small bowl, stir together the vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper; mix until sugar and salt dissolve. Whisk in olive oil.
• In a salad bowl, toss together the greens, cranberries, pecans, onions, and cheese. Drizzle with vinaigrette, and toss gently to coat.

WALNUT CRANBERRY ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, saute red pepper and onion in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, cranberries and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Drain orzo; toss with vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with walnuts and Parmesan cheese.

CRANBERRY PECAN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 2 quart rectangular baking dish.
• Spread the cranberries evenly over the bottom of the baking dish, and sprinkle the pecans over the cranberries. Spoon 1 cup of sugar over the cranberries and pecans.
• Place the eggs into the work bowl of an electric mixer, and beat on high speed about 1 minute, until the eggs are foamy. Beat in 1 cup of sugar, the flour, melted butter, and milk, and beat on Low until just mixed. The batter will be thick. Spread the batter evenly over the cranberry-pecan mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cake is lightly brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate, so the cranberry-pecan layer is on top. Let cool 30 minutes before serving.