Giadas Creamy Orzo Recipe Recipe Cards

CRISPY COCONUT ORZO WITH PEAS

Steps:

• This recipe originated on an episode of Giada Entertains. Episode: Jade's After Party.
• To a medium saucepan add the coconut milks, water, ginger and salt. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Add the orzo and stir. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes or until the pasta is al dente, stirring to prevent sticking. Drain well. Remove and discard the ginger.
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil and heat another minute. Add the drained orzo and spread out evenly in the pan. Cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes or until the bottom of the pasta is getting browned and crispy. Flip the pasta, add the remaining oil and continue to cook an additional 4 minutes undisturbed to brown the other side. Flip again and brown another 3 minutes. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and stir in the scallions and peas. Cook another 2 minutes to warm through. Finish with the lemon juice. Serve warm.

BAKED ORZO WITH FONTINA AND PEAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.
• Bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the orzo and cook until almost tender, about 7 minutes. Pour the orzo and the broth into a large bowl. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and continue to saute until the mushrooms are beginning to turn golden around the edges, about 7 minutes. Add the Marsala. Scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan and cook until the Marsala has reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the mushroom mixture to the orzo in the large bowl. Add the cream, fontina, mozzarella, peas, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• In a small bowl combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and dried thyme. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top of the pasta. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes.

CREAMY ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to 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 oil in heavy large pan frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, saute until until tender (about 2 minutes).
• Add the tomatoes and cook until tender (5-8 minutes).
• Stir in cream and peas.
• Add orzo and toss to coat.
• Remove from 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 pasta water to maintain a creamy consistency.
• Season with salt & pepper.

CREAMY PARMESAN ORZO

Steps:

• Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add orzo and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in broth and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is absorbed, and orzo is done, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from heat; stir in cheese, basil, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Serve immediately.