Minted Orzo Recipes

MINTED ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS AND FETA

Steps:

• Boil the orzo in the chicken broth until tender. Drain and let cool slightly.
• Combine the orzo with the chickpeas, feta, red onion, celery, basil, and mint in a large bowl.
• Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a blender and pulse until well combined and emulsified. Pour over the orzo salad and toss to coat. Let stand for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend before serving at room temperature or even chilled.

SUMMER ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions for al dente. Drain orzo; rinse with cold water and drain well. Transfer to a large bowl., In a large nonstick skillet, heat water over medium heat. Add corn; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add to orzo; stir in tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, onion, mint and, if desired, capers. In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper until blended. Pour over orzo mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate 30 minutes., Just before serving, stir in almonds.

MINTED ORZO SALAD WITH GRAPEFRUIT

Steps:

• Combine the grapefruit juice and grated lemon and orange rinds in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Whisk in the olive oil. Add the salt and pepper. Pour half of the liquid into a separate bowl and refrigerate.
• Add the oregano, jalapeno and shrimp to the remaining vinaigrette. Toss to combine and refrigerate for 2 hours. Grill the shrimp over hot coals until cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set aside to cool. Peel, devein and cut into bite-size pieces.
• Pour the broth into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat. Combine the olive oil and leek in a nonstick skillet. Cook over medium-low heat until the leek softens, about 5 minutes. Add the orzo and stir to combine. Ladle in 1/2 cup of the broth and stir. Increase the heat to medium and continue adding the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, until the orzo is tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold running water. Set aside.
• Put the reserved vinaigrette in a salad bowl, add the salad greens and toss. Add shrimp, orzo, coriander and parsley leaves and toss to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper.

ORZO WITH MINT SALMORIGLIO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place in a serving bowl. Add the cheese and toss until coated.
• For the sauce: In a small saucepan, bring the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mint and parsley.
• Pour the sauce over the cooked orzo, toss until coated, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

MINTED SQUASH ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the orzo and cook for 8 minutes; pasta will be slightly undercooked. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the orzo in a colander in the sink.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown and soften, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the cooked orzo and cooking water. Bring to a simmer and stir in 3/4 of the feta; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the water is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and mint.
• Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle the remaining feta over the top and garnish with additional chopped mint.

MINTY ORZO AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and set aside. , In a large skillet, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender. Add peas. Cook for 2 minutes or until tender. Add the lemon zest, salt, pepper and orzo; heat through. Stir in mint.

ORZO WITH PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and lemon zest, and saute until translucent.
• Add peas, and cook until bright green and tender, adding a little water if shallots brown before peas are tender.
• Add cooked orzo, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Remove from heat, and stir in mint.

MINTY ORZO LENTIL AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes; drain. Transfer pasta into a large bowl, and mix in 1 tablespoon olive oil; cover, and refrigerate until cool.
• Place lentils into a small saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Cover, and simmer over low heat until lentils are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
• Combine the remaining olive oil, vinegar, and garlic in a small bowl.
• Remove pasta from refrigerator; add lentils, oil mixture, olives, feta cheese, red onion, mint, and dill; stir until thoroughly blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

LEMON ORZO WITH MINT

Steps:

• In a medium sized pot, bring water to a boil and add the salt, Orzo, paprika.
• Lower to a simmer and cook, covered,12-15 minutes or until tender,.
• stirring occasionally.
• Let cool slightly and then add the mint, lemon zest/juice and green onions.
• Check for seasoning.
• Serve.

LEMON ORZO WITH PEAS & MINT

Steps:

• bring 3 cups of water to boil, stir in orzo and salt; cover, reduce heat to medium and cook 10 minutes. Add peas and cook for 5 more minutes, or until water is absorbed and pasta is tender.
• Add Butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stir to blend. Sprinkle with mint.