Mozzarella And Olive Orzo Recipes

Steps:

• Set oven to 375 degrees (oven rack set to second-lowest position).
• Butter a 2-quart casserole dish (or use a larger size).
• Cook the orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water; drain well then transfer to a large bowl; toss with a couple tablespoons of olive oil.
• In a skillet heat the oil and butter, then add in the onions, garlic, basil and cayenne; stir over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes.
• Add in the chopped celery and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring often.
• Stir in the 2 tablespoons flour; cook stirring with a wooden spoon for 3 minutes.
• Stir in the broth and tomatoes with juice breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon; simmer the mixture for about 20 minutes.
• Stir/add in the cooked orzo with the olives and about 3/4 cup mozzeralla cheese, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Transfer the mixture to prepared baking dish.
• Bake for about 15-20 minutes, remove from oven and sprinkle with mozzeralla cheese (any amount desired) return to oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes.

Steps:

• In a kettle of boiling salted water boil the orzo until it is al dente, drain it well, and transfer it to a large bowl. In a large heavy skillet cook the onion in the oil and the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the celery, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, cook the mixture, stirring, for 3 minutes, and stir in the broth, the tomatoes, chopping them with a spoon, the basil, and the cayenne. Simmer the mixture, stirring, for 5 minutes, stir it into the orzo with the olives, 1/2 pound of the mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch dice, and salt to taste, and transfer the mixture to a shallow 2-quart baking dish. Cut the remaining 1/4 pound mozzarella into thin strips and arrange it decoratively on top of the orzo. The orzo may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Bake the orzo in the middle of a preheated 400°F. oven for 30 minutes, or until it is heated through and slightly crisp on top.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a pot of boiling salted water cook the orzo until al dente and drain. Transfer to a large bowl. In a large skillet cook the onion and fennel in the butter over moderately low heat, covered, for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, cream mixture, rosemary and salt and pepper and simmer the mixture for 5 minutes. Add the vegetables to the bowl containing the orzo and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, olives, all but 1/4 cup of the mozzarella cheese, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture to a buttered 1-quart baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining Mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Tip the orzo into a medium casserole dish, then stir in the oil, red peppers, olives, chilli flakes and dried oregano. Tip in the chopped tomatoes, then refill the can halfway with water and pour that in too. Give everything a good mix, season, then cover and bake for 20 mins until the pasta is almost cooked. Take it out of the oven and give the orzo a stir. Remove the foil and return to the oven for a further 5 mins.
• Heat the grill to high. Take the orzo out of the oven and tear the mozzarella over the top, then grill until melted and bubbling. Serve with salad on the side, if you like.

Steps:

• Cut 4 ounces mozzarella into thin strips;cut remaining cheese into cubes. Set aside.
• Cook orzo in a large saucepan according to package directions;drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Heat butter and oil in saucepan over medium heat until butter melts;add onion, and saute until tender. Add celery;saute 5 minutes.
• Stir in flour and saute 3 minutes. Stir in broth and next 3 ingredients. Cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir broth mixture, cheese cubes, olives and salt into orzo; spoon into a lightly greased shallow 3 qaurt baking dish. Arrange cheese strips on top.
• Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 minutes or until slightly crisp on top.
• For Vegetarian use Vegetable Broth.