Creamy Squash Orzo Recipes

CREAMY ORZO PASTA WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200C/400F. Peel, de-seed and cut butternut squash into bite-sized cubes, season with salt, pepper and 1 tbsp of olive oil or low calorie spray. Arrange on a shallow pan, scatter 4-5 sage leaves throughout and roast at 200C/400F for 45 minutes or until golden.
• 20 minutes before the squash is done, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a deep pan and saute chopped shallots, garlic and remaining minced sage leaves over low heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Add vegetables stock, salt and kale, bring to a boil, add orzo and cook according to package instructions for approximately 7-8 minutes until tender but al dente. Stir the orzo throughout the cooking process to release starch and to avoid it sticking to the bottom of a pan. If the mixture looks too thick add 1/2 cup of vegetable stock or water to maintain creamy, risotto like consistency. Take off the heat and stir in Parmesan cheese, salt to taste and top with roasted butternut squash.

CREAMY SQUASH ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo pasta according to package instructions.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, cut squash into half, place in the ovenproof dish skin side up with a bit of water on a bottom and bake 30-40 minute. Wrap garlic gloves in greased aluminum foil and bake on a rack together with squash.
• Take out squash and garlic from the oven and let them cool. When cold enough to handle scoop out the seeds from the squash and throw them away. Using fork take out the inside of the squash into a bowl.
• Add squash into a food processor. Cut off the stems from each garlic clove and squeeze out of its skin into a food processor. Combine with Greek yogurt, almonds, salt and pepper and process until smooth.
• In a pot mix with orzo, parsley and add more salt or pepper if necessary. Heat slightly and serve.
• Tip: I tried making this dish with other type of pasta, I think elbows and it did not work that well. I mean it worked great when it was eaten right away but when I left a portion for the next day it became a bit lumpy and elbows became somehow overcooked so if you want to make more for the next day do not combine all the sauce with pasta at once, leave some separate for the next day and combine just before eating. Plus I think it just looks and tastes better with orzo but you can experiment with other types of pasta. When combined with elbows it becomes healthier version of mac & cheese. Also it might be good to substitute almonds for parmesan.

CREAMY ORZO WITH FRESH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat oil in large sauce pan, cook onion over medium high heat for 2 minutes. Stir In garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in uncooked orzo & and toss to coat and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium. Slowly stir in 1/2 cup of stock at a time. Adding the next half cup when the previous one has been absorbed. When orzo is tender stir in a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss orzo with steamed vegetables. Serve with grated Parmesan and black pepper.

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.

ROASTED VEGETABLE ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Place the zucchini, squash, onion, asparagus, and mushrooms in a large bowl; add in garlic, olive oil and sugar, and stir gently to coat vegetables. Spread vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast vegetables until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add bouillon cubes, wine, and orzo, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Stir in roasted vegetables and Parmesan cheese, and serve warm.

BROWN-BUTTER ORZO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• In a medium Dutch oven, or a large (12-inch) skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it doesn't burn.)
• Stir in shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add squash, sage, a large pinch of salt, the 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and the 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, and cook until squash is golden at the edges and begins to soften, 12 to 17 minutes.
• Add stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and the 1 teaspoon salt. Cover the pan and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is just tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 14 to 18 minutes, stirring once or twice. If the pan dries out before the orzo and squash are tender, add a splash or two of water.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in Parmesan. Taste and add more salt if needed, and a squeeze of lemon juice if the dish needs brightness. Dollop with ricotta if using, and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan and black pepper just before serving, garnishing the top with more red-pepper flakes and sage.

CHICKEN WITH CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH ORZO

Steps:

• Peel and seed squash, then cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Mince garlic.
• Using meat pounder, pound thick part of chicken breast to 3/4 to 1 inch thickness. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Place chicken, skin side down, in cold 12 inch skillet, Cover and place over medium heat. Cook, without moving , unitl skin is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Continue to cook, covered, until skin is deep golden brown, rotating skillet halfway through cooking. Transfer to platter, tent with foil.
• While chicken cooks, melt butter in large sauce pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about thirty seconds. Stir in orzo and cook for one minute. Add squash and broth, bring to boil, and cook, stirring often, until orzo and squash are both tender, about 15 minutes.
• While orzo is cooking grate parmesan (1 cup) mince three tablespoons chives and squeeze 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
• Off heat stir in babay spinach, nutmeg, parmesan, 2 tablespponsschives and lemon juice. Let sit unccovered for 5 minutes to thicken. Sprinkle renaining chives over chicken.