**Orzotto with Zucchini and Pesto: A Delightful and Versatile Dish**
Orzotto, a delectable dish originating from Italy, takes inspiration from risotto but with a unique twist: it uses orzo pasta instead of rice. This delectable dish is characterized by its creamy texture, vibrant flavors, and versatile nature that allows for endless variations. In this article, we present three enticing orzotto recipes that showcase the diverse culinary possibilities of this dish.
The first recipe, **Zucchini and Pesto Orzotto**, is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the freshness of zucchini with the aromatic basil pesto. This vegetarian delight is perfect for summer gatherings and light meals.
Next, we have **Orzotto with Sausage and Mushrooms**, a hearty and savory dish that combines the richness of sausage with the earthy flavors of mushrooms. This recipe is a meat lover's dream and is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate.
Finally, we present **Orzotto with Butternut Squash and Sage**, a warm and comforting dish that showcases the sweetness of butternut squash and the aromatic herb sage. This autumn-inspired recipe is perfect for cozy dinners and special occasions.
Whether you prefer a vegetarian delight, a hearty meat-based dish, or a comforting autumnal treat, these three orzotto recipes offer something for everyone. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your stove, and let's embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more!
ORZO WITH ZUCCHINI
Orzo is paired with herby zucchini and crumbled feta for a meal or side that's great warm or at room temperature.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 30m
Yield 6-8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Stir in the orzo and cook according to package directions for al dente; drain.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the scallion whites and zucchini; cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the orzo, scallion greens, parsley, mint and 1 cup water. Simmer, uncovered, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the feta.
PESTO ORZO WITH ROASTED ZUCCHINI
I made up this recipe after finding out the health benefits of orzo. This is really tasty and light at the same time, a great dinner dish that will leave you asking for more--thankfully, it tastes even better for lunch the next day!
Provided by Maristela
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Pesto Pasta Recipes
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Place zucchini in a bowl and season with 2 tablespoons oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until all slices are moistened. Spread on a large baking sheet.
- Roast zucchini in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Flip the slices and continue roasting until tender and browned, about 10 minutes more.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add orzo and vegetable bouillon; cook until orzo is tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat remaining olive oil in a large frying pan and cook onion until starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in pesto sauce. Cut zucchini rounds into 4 pieces and add to the frying pan. Add cooked orzo, stirring until it absorbs the pesto sauce. Add cherry tomatoes last; stir for about 30 seconds. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 535.6 calories, Carbohydrate 47.9 g, Cholesterol 12.2 mg, Fat 32.8 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 15.3 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 334.6 mg, Sugar 5.6 g
ORZOTTO WITH ZUCCHINI & PESTO (ORZO RISOTTO)
This creamy,golden, and delicious dish is from acclaimed Italian chef Cesare Casella. He serves it at his restaurant, Salumeria Rosi, on the Upper West Side. Orzo is easier to work with than rice. You can cook it 3/4 of the way and hold it, chilled, in the refrigerator and add the last half cup of broth and half cup of water the next day." Recipe was printed in the New York Times.
Provided by blucoat
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 45m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the pesto: In a small food processor or blender, combine pine nuts (optional), garlic and basil. Pulse to chop, then while continuing to pulse, slowly pour in the oil to make a chunky mixture; do not purée. Transfer to a small bowl, and add the Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano. Mix well, and season with salt, pepper and chili flakes to taste. Set aside.
- For the orzotto: Place vegetable broth in a small saucepan and bring to a bare simmer. In another small saucepan, bring 2 cups of lightly salted water to a bare simmer. In a skillet over medium heat, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil and onion, and sauté until soft and translucent, 5 to 10 minutes. Add orzo and sauté until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add wine and sauté until evaporated. Season lightly with salt.
- Add 1 cup hot broth and simmer, stirring constantly, until liquid is almost absorbed. Add 1 cup hot water and repeat. Continue to alternately add broth and water 1/2 cup at a time until orzotto is tender; total cooking time will be 16 to 20 minutes and all the broth or water may not be needed. The finished orzo should be golden yellow (add too much water and the flavor will be weak; add too much broth and the color will darken). Set aside finished orzo, cover and keep warm.
- In a small skillet over medium heat, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and add zucchini. Sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Stir zucchini and 2 tablespoons pesto into the orzo (reserve any remaining pesto for another use). Add Parmigiano-Reggiano, stir until melted and adjust salt as needed. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 402.8, Fat 23.1, SaturatedFat 4.3, Cholesterol 5.7, Sodium 140.1, Carbohydrate 34.7, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 1.8, Protein 9
ORZO WITH SUMMER SQUASH AND PESTO
There's still plenty of summer squash in the market. I like to dice it small for this dish, cook it with a little garlic and marjoram or mint and toss it with orzo, a pasta that looks like rice but tastes and feels like pasta. I love the textures of the two, and the pesto completes the dish. Make sure to dice the squash small so the pieces aren't much bigger than the grains of orzo.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, main course
Time 30m
Yield Serves 4 to 5
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the orzo and salt generously. Meanwhile, heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add olive oil and garlic. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add summer squash. Turn heat up to medium high and cook, stirring often, until squash is tender and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in marjoram or mint and season to taste with salt and pepper. Turn off heat.
- When water in pot comes to a boil, salt generously and add orzo. Cook 9 minutes, until al dente. Stir 3 to 4 tablespoons of the cooking water into the pesto, then drain orzo and toss with squash. Heat through, add pesto, toss again and serve, passing more Parmesan or pecorino in a bowl.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 319, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 49 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 500 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, flavorful herbs, and a good quality pesto will make all the difference in this dish.
- Cook the orzotto al dente: It should have a slight bite to it.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: If you do, the orzotto will cook unevenly.
- Add the zucchini and pesto towards the end of cooking: This will prevent the zucchini from getting mushy and the pesto from losing its flavor.
- Season to taste: Add salt, pepper, and additional pesto as needed.
Conclusion:
This orzotto with zucchini and pesto is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is packed with flavor and is a great way to use up fresh zucchini. Serve it with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
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