Lemon Orzotto Recipes

LEMON-BASIL ORZOTTO

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until fragrant and translucent. Add the orzo and toast for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the wine and cook until absorbed.
• Gradually add the chicken stock, stirring frequently. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat, and cover. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until the liquid is almost absorbed and orzo is tender. Remove from the heat.
• Stir in peas, Parmesan, fresh basil, lemon zest, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Season the orzo with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

ORZO RISOTTO WITH LEMON AND FRESH OREGANO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan over a medium-high heat and gently fry the shallot with a generous pinch of salt for 5 minutes, or until just translucent. Add the garlic and fry for a further minute.
• Add the orzo to the pan, stirring until all the pasta is coated.
• Add a quarter of the stock and turn down the heat to medium-low. Continue adding the stock a quarter at a time, stirring regularly until the pasta has absorbed all the liquid and is tender but still has a little firmness at the centre. You may need to add a splash more water, or you might not need to use all the stock.
• Stir in the oregano, butter, lemon zest and juice, to taste. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

LEMONY FISH WITH ORZOTTO

Steps:

• Coat fillets with coriander and 1⁄2 teaspoon salt. Thinly slice scallions, separating white and light green parts from dark green parts; reserve dark green parts.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high. Add white and light green scallions; cook until slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add orzo; stir until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in broth and remaining 1⁄2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook, undisturbed, until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high. Add fillets; cook until deeply browned on 1 side, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir cheese, peas, cream, and lemon zest and juice into orzo. Cook, stirring often, until peas are warmed through, about 2 minutes. Serve with fish, topped with oil and dark green scallions.

VERY GREEN ORZOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat until hot, then add the green onions and saute until softened, about a minute. Add the garlic and chile flakes and saute for 30 seconds.
• Add the orzo, salt and pepper to the pan and toss to coat the grains, a minute or two. Add the warmed broth and gently stir. Allow the broth to come to a simmer, then cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the asparagus, broccolini, zucchini and peas. Stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the kale, Parmesan and lemon zest and give it a good stir, then allow to cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add the herbs and stir to combine. Serve in bowls topped with Parmesan and additional herbs.

ORZOTTO WITH PANCETTA & PEAS

Steps:

• Put the pancetta in a large, deep frying pan over a medium-high heat and fry until crisp and golden. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate and set aside. Reduce the heat, add the onion along with a pinch of salt and fry in any leftover fat for 5 mins. Add the garlic and continue to fry for a further 3 mins.
• Increase the heat and stir in the orzo. Fry for 2 mins, stirring constantly, then pour in 500ml stock and bring to a simmer. Add more stock by the ladleful, stirring constantly, as the orzo absorbs the liquid (similar to cooking a risotto).
• After 5 mins, stir in the petit pois and bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue to add the remaining stock, stirring, as the mixture cooks. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through. Add the lemon zest and juice, basil, parmesan and fried pancetta. Season to taste, then cover and leave to rest for 2 mins. Serve with extra parmesan sprinkled over the top.

MUSHROOM AND PEA ORZOTTO

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add mushrooms and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and thyme; cook 1 minute, stirring often. Add orzo and cook until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often. Pour in wine and cook until mostly evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes more.
• Pour chicken broth into the pot gradually and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and cook until orzo is softened, 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Uncover the pot and stir in frozen peas. Cook until peas are warmed through, about 1 minute. Remove pot from heat, add Pecorino-Romano cheese and cream and stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.