Indulge in the symphony of flavors with our creamy roasted garlic spinach orzo, a delightful dish that tantalizes your taste buds. This culinary masterpiece combines the earthy goodness of roasted garlic, the vibrant green of fresh spinach, and the nutty texture of orzo pasta, all harmonized in a creamy and luscious sauce.
This recipe is a symphony of flavors and textures, starting with the nutty flavor of toasted orzo pasta, the creamy richness of a garlic-infused sauce, and the vibrant freshness of spinach. A sprinkling of Parmesan cheese adds a savory touch, while a hint of lemon zest brightens the dish with a refreshing citrus note.
Additional recipes within the article offer tantalizing variations to suit every palate. For a vegetarian delight, try the spinach and feta stuffed portobello mushrooms, where savory spinach and tangy feta cheese are enveloped in the meaty embrace of grilled portobello mushrooms. If you crave a hearty and flavorful main course, the skillet chicken with spinach and tomatoes is a perfect choice, featuring tender chicken nestled amidst a medley of spinach, juicy tomatoes, and aromatic garlic.
And for those with a sweet tooth, the almond and spinach cake beckons with its moist texture and irresistible combination of nutty almonds and vibrant spinach, finished with a delicate glaze. Each recipe enchants the senses with its unique blend of flavors and textures, making this article a culinary journey like no other.
CREAMY ORZO
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories side-dish
Time 25m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
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.
ONE-PAN ORZO WITH SPINACH AND FETA
Similar to spanakorizo, a Greek spinach and rice dish, this easy, meatless meal features orzo, spinach, peas and scallions. It is deeply satisfying but still on the lighter side of pasta recipes, thanks to all those vegetables. A little feta gives it creaminess and tang, while some lemon zest brightens everything up. It makes a complete meal on its own, or, if you're looking for something more substantial, serve this as a hearty side dish to roasted meats or fish.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, easy, pastas, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium, then melt butter, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in about three-quarters of the scallions (saving some of the green parts for garnish) and garlic, and cook until softened, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in spinach, adding in batches if it doesn't all fit in the pan at once, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is nearly cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed, 10 to 14 minutes, stirring once or twice.
- Stir in cheese, peas (if you like) and dill, cover the pan, and cook for another 1 minute, to finish cooking and warm the peas. To serve, sprinkle with more cheese and the reserved scallions.
Tips:
- Choose the right orzo. Use a high-quality orzo pasta that is made with durum wheat. This type of pasta will hold its shape better and not become mushy when cooked.
- Roast the garlic. Roasting the garlic mellows its flavor and makes it sweeter. This step is essential for the best flavor in the dish.
- Use fresh spinach. Fresh spinach has a more vibrant flavor than frozen spinach. If you must use frozen spinach, be sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out all of the excess water before using.
- Don't overcook the spinach. Spinach cooks very quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Overcooked spinach will become limp and lose its flavor.
- Add the cheese at the end. Adding the cheese at the end of the cooking process will prevent it from becoming rubbery.
Conclusion:
This Creamy Roasted Garlic Spinach Orzo is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is packed with flavor from the roasted garlic, spinach, and Parmesan cheese. The creamy sauce is rich and decadent, and the orzo is cooked to perfection. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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