Orzo with celery, cranberries, and pecans is a delectable and versatile dish that combines the nutty flavor of orzo pasta with the crunch of celery, the tartness of cranberries, and the richness of pecans. This flavorful combination is tossed in a creamy sauce made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and Dijon mustard, creating a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. The dish is not only a feast for the taste buds but also visually appealing, with the vibrant colors of the cranberries and pecans adding a festive touch. This recipe is a perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it a delightful option for potlucks, picnics, or as a main course for lunch or dinner. Additionally, the article provides variations to the main recipe, such as a vegan version, a gluten-free version, and a lighter version using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and sour cream. These variations cater to different dietary preferences and allow home cooks to customize the dish to their liking.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CRANBERRY PECAN AND ORANGE ORZO PASTA SALAD
Cranberry Pecan and Orange Orzo Pasta Salad is a light salad mixing dried cranberries, pecans, fresh Italian parsley and topped with an orange vinaigrette. This salad makes a great side dish or main dish salad.
Provided by Julia
Categories Salad, Side
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cook the orzo pasta according to package until al dente. Run under cold water and put in large mixing bowl.
- Add the the dried cranberries, pecans, Italian parsley to the orzo pasta. In a small bowl or mason jar whisk together the orange juice, red wine vinegar, sugar and honey.
- Pour the dressing over the orzo salad and mix well. Top with freshly grated orange zest and extra fresh Italian parsley for garnish.
CREAMY ORZO WITH FRESH VEGETABLES
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 20m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oil in large sauce pan, cook onion over medium high heat for 2 minutes. Stir In garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in uncooked orzo & and toss to coat and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium. Slowly stir in 1/2 cup of stock at a time. Adding the next half cup when the previous one has been absorbed. When orzo is tender stir in a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss orzo with steamed vegetables. Serve with grated Parmesan and black pepper.
ORZO WITH CELERY, CRANBERRIES AND PECANS
Found printed on a package of celery from Cali. A recipe that can be either prepared as a stuffing or served as a side dish (or salad with a few modifications).
Provided by COOKGIRl
Categories Fruit
Time 35m
Yield 5 cups, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- STUFFING: Melt butter with olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add diced onion, cooking 4 minutes or until onions are translucent and golden brown.
- Add celery; cook 4 minutes longer.
- In a large bowl, combine the drained orzo, cooked celery and onion, cranberries, nuts, basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss gently.
- At this point, if desired, the orzo is now ready to be stuffed.
- Variations:.
- As a SIDE DISH: Heat up the olive oil and butter in a saute pan on medium heat. Saute the celery, onion and UNCOOKED orzo pasta until lightly browned.
- Add 3 cups water or broth and bring to boil. Cover pan, reduce heat and simmer on low for 20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cranberries, pecans, fresh basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- To make it as a SALAD: boil orzo and cook until tender. Drain and rinse under cool water. Drain again. Transfer orzo to a salad bowl. Add the diced onion, minced celery and shredded basil to the pasta. In a small non-reactive bowl, whisk together about 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice (play around with the proportion and amount of oil and lemon juice as desired), salt and pepper. Stir the vinaigrette into the orzo. FYI: the butter is omitted.
CREAMY VEGETABLE ORZO RECIPE
Surprise them by revealing that this Creamy Vegetable Orzo Recipe fits into a healthy eating plan. All they'll care about is that this is one delicious orzo recipe.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 35m
Yield Makes 6 servings, about 1/2 cup each.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add onions; cook 4 min., stirring frequently. Stir in peppers and corn; cook and stir 2 min. Add orzo; cook and stir 1 min.
- Stir in broth; bring to boil on high heat. Simmer on medium-low heat 10 to 12 min. or until orzo and vegetables are tender and most the liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
- Add reduced-fat cream cheese; cook 1 to 2 min. or until cream cheese is melted and sauce is well blended, stirring constantly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 180, Fat 6 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Sodium 270 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 7 g
ORZO SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES & PECANS
From the Equal Exchange website, contributed by Brian Albert, Director of Finance for Equal Exchange, this salad is full of healthy goodness and a variety of textures and flavors. I haven't tried this yet, posted for safe keeping. I think this might be good with a raspberry vinegar as an option. NOTE: recipe states 1/2 box of orzo -- I'm assuming a 1-pound box, so 8 ounces would be half. Serving size is estimated.
Provided by kitty.rock
Categories Berries
Time 20m
Yield 4-6 1/2-cup servings, 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a small pan, bring water to boil.
- Stir in orzo and cook until just tender, then drain.
- Combine the warm orzo, cranberries, carrots and cucumber in a medium bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, oil, mustard and honey (and optional thyme if using).
- Pour over orzo mixture and stir to coat.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Stir in scallions and pecans just before serving.
- Garnish with basil or extra cucumber slices.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 439.5, Fat 12.1, SaturatedFat 1.3, Sodium 733.6, Carbohydrate 74.6, Fiber 7.1, Sugar 22.8, Protein 11.7
CRANBERRY-PECAN ORZO
Categories Pasta Side Low Fat Vegetarian Kid-Friendly Quick & Easy High Fiber Healthy Vegan Boil
Yield 4-6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Zest oranges, placing zest in a large bowl. Juice oranges, and soak cranberries in the juice in a small bowl. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. While pasta is cooking, chop scallions and place in bowl with orange zest. Add the pecans, drained orzo, cranberries and orange juice, and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil until pasta looks moist. Serve immediately, or chill for later. Can be made a day ahead.
Tips:
- Use a variety of textures: The combination of tender orzo, crunchy celery, chewy cranberries, and toasted pecans creates a delightful textural experience. Experiment with different textures to add interest to your dish.
- Balance flavors: The sweetness of the cranberries and the nutty flavor of the pecans complement the savory orzo and celery. Aim for a balance of flavors to create a harmonious dish.
- Roast the pecans: Toasting the pecans enhances their flavor and adds a warm, toasty aroma to the dish. Don't skip this step for a more flavorful result.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme add a pop of freshness and brightness to the dish. Incorporate them at the end of cooking to preserve their delicate flavors.
- Adjust seasonings to taste: Taste the dish and adjust the seasonings accordingly. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed to suit your preferences.
Conclusion:
Orzo with Celery, Cranberries, and Pecans is a versatile and delicious dish that combines a variety of textures and flavors. Whether you're serving it as a main course or a side dish, this recipe is sure to impress. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique variation. With its colorful appearance and satisfying taste, this dish is perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!
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