Best 7 Orzo Barley Pilaf Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with our delectable Orzo Barley Pilaf, an exceptional dish that blends the finest ingredients to create a symphony of flavors. This pilaf masterfully combines pearl barley, orzo pasta, and a medley of aromatic spices, resulting in a hearty and wholesome meal. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, our easy-to-follow recipes will guide you through the process of creating this mouthwatering dish. Discover variations such as the classic Orzo Barley Pilaf, the savory Mushroom and Herb Barley Pilaf, and the vibrant Greek Lemon Barley Pilaf. Each recipe offers a unique twist, catering to diverse preferences and dietary needs. From the nutty flavor of barley to the delicate texture of orzo, these pilafs promise a delightful experience with every bite. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on this culinary adventure together!

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

HERBED ORZO PILAF



Herbed Orzo Pilaf image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

  • Saute 1 chopped onion and 1 thyme sprig in butter over medium heat until golden; season with salt. Increase the heat to medium high; add 1 cup orzo and toast 2 minutes. Add 2 cups chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and cook until the orzo is tender, 15 minutes. Stir in some chopped dill. Top with sour cream and paprika.

BARLEY PILAF



Barley Pilaf image

Barley can be found in two forms-hulled and pearled. Pearling removes almost a third of the grain, making it quicker cooking and reducing some nutrients. Hulled barley takes longer to cook but has a higher nutrient content and a pleasant, toothsome chewiness. This pilaf recipe is a simple way to enjoy hulled barley.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup hulled barley
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Kosher salt
1/2 cup small pieces of broken spaghetti (about 2 ounces)
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and lightly golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add the barley and stir until the grains are just coated in butter. Add the broth and 1/2 teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and simmer 20 minutes. Uncover and quickly stir in the spaghetti; cover and continue to simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed and the barley and spaghetti are tender, stirring once more, about 15 minutes more. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper and sprinkle with chopped chives.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250 calorie, Fat 5 grams, SaturatedFat 2.5 grams, Cholesterol 10 milligrams, Sodium 290 milligrams, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 10 grams, Sugar 2 grams

SARAH'S RICE PILAF



Sarah's Rice Pilaf image

This is a delicious twist to traditional rice.

Provided by sarahbillings

Categories     Side Dish     Rice Side Dish Recipes     Pilaf

Time 50m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 tablespoons butter
½ cup orzo pasta
½ cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup uncooked white rice
2 cups chicken broth

Steps:

  • Melt the butter in a lidded skillet over medium-low heat. Cook and stir orzo pasta until golden brown. Stir in onion and cook until onion becomes translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Mix in the rice and chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 244 calories, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 17.8 mg, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 524.3 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

ORZO AND RICE PILAF WITH VEGETABLES



Orzo and Rice Pilaf with Vegetables image

Categories     Onion     Pasta     Side     Sauté     Quick & Easy     Almond     Celery     Carrot     Zucchini     Spring     Parsley     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 6 side-dish servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2/3 cup orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
2 carrots, cut into 1/4-inch dice (3/4 cup)
2 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch dice (2/3 cup)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup long-grain white rice
1 3/4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth (14 fl oz)
1 cup water
1 small zucchini or yellow squash, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 1/4 cups)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Steps:

  • Heat oil and butter in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then sauté orzo, stirring constantly, until golden brown, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrots, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally, until onion is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add rice and sauté, stirring, until coated with oil and butter.
  • Add broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and quickly stir in zucchini, then let stand, covered, 5 minutes. (Zucchini will steam.) Stir in parsley and serve sprinkled with almonds.

GARLIC-HERB ORZO PILAF



Garlic-Herb Orzo Pilaf image

"Mildly flavored and flecked with garlic and fresh herbs, this creamy, versatile side dish can accompany a wide variety of entrees. Plus, it's a cinch to put together." --Mary Relyea of Canastota, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

8 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
1/3 cup water
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook garlic in oil over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add orzo and rice; cook 4-6 minutes longer or until lightly browned. , Stir in broth and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Stir in the onions, basil, parsley and salt.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 227 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 426mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

ORZO PILAF



Orzo Pilaf image

Make and share this Orzo Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Lightly Toasted

Categories     Rice

Time 25m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup orzo pasta (tiny little egg shaped pasta)
1 chopped onion
1 cup rice (I always use Uncle Ben's)
2 1/4 cups chicken broth

Steps:

  • Brown orzo and onion in margarine over med-hi heat.
  • Add rice, broth and a dash of pepper and salt.
  • Bring back to a full boil, then cover, lower heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 387.9, Fat 12.7, SaturatedFat 2.3, Sodium 564.6, Carbohydrate 57.8, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 1.9, Protein 9.1

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO VEGETABLE PILAF



Mediterranean Orzo Vegetable Pilaf image

This pilaf is flavored with white wine and spiced with mediterranean vegetables such as; olives, capers and chickpeas in addition to the regular onion and bell pepper. Makes a wonderful side dish.

Provided by Trisha W

Categories     Beans

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
2 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped
1 (14 ounce) can vegetable broth
1/3 cup white wine
1/4 cup bell pepper, chopped (green or red)
3/4 cup chickpeas (or garbanzo beans)
1/4 cup kalamata olive, chopped
1 tablespoon capers
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a 10 inches skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil, then stir in the uncooked orzo, and green onion.
  • Cook, stirring frequently, until the orzo is lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the broth and wine and heat until boiling, then reduce heat, cover and simmer about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in the peppers, chickpeas, olives and capers, and cook covered another 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most liquid is absorbed.
  • Pour into a bowl and sprinkle with the 2 T of parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 309, Fat 9.6, SaturatedFat 1.7, Cholesterol 2.2, Sodium 313.7, Carbohydrate 43.4, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 1.3, Protein 8.9

Tips:

  • Choose the right orzo and barley: Use pearled barley and orzo pasta for the best texture and flavor.
  • Rinse the orzo and barley: This helps remove any starch or impurities.
  • Toast the orzo and barley: This step adds a nutty flavor and helps prevent the grains from sticking together.
  • Use a flavorful broth: Chicken, vegetable, or beef broth all work well. You can also use water, but the flavor will be less intense.
  • Add vegetables and herbs: This is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to the pilaf. Some good choices include onions, carrots, celery, garlic, tomatoes, and herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary.
  • Cook the pilaf until the orzo and barley are tender: This usually takes about 20 minutes.
  • Fluff the pilaf with a fork before serving: This helps separate the grains and makes the pilaf light and fluffy.

Conclusion:

Orzo barley pilaf is a delicious and versatile side dish that can be served with a variety of main courses. It's also a great way to use up leftover orzo and barley. With its nutty flavor and hearty texture, this pilaf is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a side dish that's both delicious and easy to make, give orzo barley pilaf a try!

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