Creamy Italian Orzo Recipes Recipe For Banana

CREAMY ITALIAN ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still al dente (slightly firm), stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, saving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, mushrooms and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the half and half and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove pan from heat. Add parmesan to pasta mixture.
• Stir pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with desired amount of salt, and serve hot.
• Chunks of chicken or shrimp could be added if you choose to serve this as a main dish.

CREAMY GARLIC PARMESAN ORZO

Steps:

• In a large skillet add the olive oil, butter and cook for about 30 seconds until the butter melts. Stir in the onion and garlic and let it cook for about 2 minutes until the onion softens and the garlic becomes aromatic.
• Add the orzo to the skillet and let it cook for about 2 minutes just in the oil so that it starts to toast lightly, this will give it a nutty flavor.
• Season with salt and pepper then stir in the chicken broth and half and half. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to a medium-low, cover with a lid and let it cook for 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and stir in the Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
• Serve immediately.

CREAMY PARMESAN MUSHROOM ORZO WITH GARLIC BUTTER SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Rinse the mushrooms, pat dry, and slice thick. Mince the garlic. Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the mushrooms and saute 5-6 minutes, or until they have softened and released all of their moisture.Remove from pan to a plate and cover to keep warm. Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to do this in two batches.
• Lower the heat to medium and add the butter. Once the butter is melted and bubbling, add the onion. Saute 3-4 minutes until caramelized. Then add in the garlic. Saute for 30 seconds.
• Add the flour, stir well and cook for 1 minute.
• Pour in the half and half and chicken stock. Whisking continuously until the butter flour mixture is no longer clumpy and the bottom of the pan has been deglazed from sautéing. Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Add in the orzo pasta and stir to combine. If it starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and allow it to maintain a simmer.
• Cook uncovered, stirring frequently to ensure the orzo does not stick to the bottom of the pan or together, until it is al dente and the liquid has thickened to form a creamy sauce. Apprximately 10-15 minutes, or according to the package instructions.
• While the orzo is cooking, line the scallops up on a paper towel and pat them dry. Removing some of the water will help to crisp the outsides.Season the scallops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Place a large cast iron skillet over medium heat with the butter. Once the butter is bubbling and starting to brown, add the scallops one at a time seasoned side down. Sear for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan to a dish and cover to keep warm.
• Once the orzo is cooked and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat. Taste test and add additional seasonings, if needed.Stir in the baby spinach and parmesan cheese. Mix until the cheese has melted and the spinach has wilted. Stir in the mushrooms and top with scallops to re-warm both.
• Serve garnished with freshly grated parmesan cheese, black pepper, and freshly chopped parsley.

CREAMY GARLIC-PARMESAN ORZO

Steps:

• Cook the orzo according to the package directions; drain well.
• In a large skillet melt the butter over medium heat; add in the onion and saute until just softened (about 3-4 minutes).
• Add in fresh garlic and chili flakes the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Reduce the heat to low and add in the cooked orzo, Parmesan cheese, milk or cream, parsley and salt; toss to heat through.
• Season with fresh ground black pepper to taste.

CREAMY ORZO WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Return to pan; keep warm.
• Melt 2 tablespoons Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt in 10-inch skillet until sizzling. Add garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Add spinach, salt and pepper; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, 2-3 minutes or until spinach is wilted. Remove from heat.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons Butter with Olive Oil & Sea Salt and 1 cup Parmesan to cooked pasta in pan; stir until combined. Add cooked spinach, tomatoes and lemon zest; mix well. Spoon mixture into serving dish; top with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN CHICKEN AND ORZO

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large NONSTICK pan over medium high heat until very hot. Toss chicken with 1 tablespoon pesto and add to pan along with onions, carrots and zucchini. Sauté for three minutes then add red bell pepper, orzo and garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes.
• Stir in crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons pesto, chicken broth, chicken bouillon and seasonings. Bring to a simmer, cover and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 8-12 minutes, or until vegetables and orzo are tender, stirring every 5 minutes so the orzo doesn't burn, covering pot after each stir.
• Stir in Parmesan cheese. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with fresh Parmesan and parsley (optional).

CREAMY ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the cream and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the Parmesan to the pasta mixture and toss to coat. Stir the pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with salt and pepper, and serve.

CREAMY ITALIAN WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, heat oil. Cook onion and celery in oil for 5 to 8 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds, continually stirring. Stir in beans, chicken broth, pepper, thyme and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and then simmer for 15 minutes.
• With slotted spoon, remove 2 cups of the bean and vegetable mixture from soup and set aside.
• In blender at low speed, blend remaining soup in small batches until smooth, (it helps to remove the center piece of the blender lid to allow steam to escape.) Once blended pour soup back into stock pot and stir in reserved beans.
• Bring to a boil, occasionally stirring. Stir in spinach and cook 1 minute or until spinach is wilted. Stir in lemon juice and remove from heat and serve with fresh grated Parmesan cheese on top.