Stovetop Orzo Medley Recipes

Steps:

• Toss vegetables together in a medium bowl.
• In a medium saute pan, heat the butter and water together over medium heat. Add the vegetables to the pan and turn the heat to medium high. Toss the vegetables, by gently moving the pan back and forth over the flame. Cook the vegetables for 3 to 4 minutes, or until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the vegetables to a serving bowl and serve immediately.
• Cook the vegetables in 1 to 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or butter, without the water. Do this over high heat and brown and crisp the vegetables slightly.
• Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of minced garlic, minced shallot, a teaspoon of grated peeled fresh ginger to the pan before adding the vegetables. - Enhance the vegetables at the end of cooking with a tablespoon or so of minced fresh herbs, like chopped flat-leaf parsley, dill, mint, basil, cilantro, or thyme.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously. Fill a large bowl with ice water, and put a colander or strainer in it. Add the vegetable to the boiling water and cook, uncovered, until crisp tender, or the desired degree of doneness. Scoop the vegetable from the water and immediately put them in the ice water, to stop the cooking and set their color. Cool and drain, and use as desired. When blanching a mix of vegetables, don't cook them together since they may not all cook at the same time. Start with the lightest colored or mildest flavored vegetable, and blanch and refresh each vegetable, one after the other, until cooked as desired.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees and bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain the orzo and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a very large (12-inch) ovenproof skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook until fragrant (don't let the garlic burn), about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the spinach and a pinch of salt and cook, tossing often, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the marinara, basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
• Stir the cooked orzo into the sauce. Stir in the mozzarella, sprinkle the Parmesan on top, and bake, uncovered, until the Parmesan is melted and the pasta is heated through, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with additional basil, and serve warm.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups of broth to a boil, cook orzo over medium heat for about 10 minutes.
• In a large skillet, add oil and all the veggies, garlic and spices, sauté for a couple of minutes, add 1/2 cup of broth and cook about 4 minutes.
• Drain orzo, place in a serving bowl and add in veggies and toss to combine.
• Sprinkle grated cheese on top, optional.
• Note: to make this a vegetarian dish, substitute the chicken broth for a veg broth.

Steps:

• PreHeat Oven to 350 degrees.
• Cut up all vegetables and place on baking sheet.
• Pour Olive Oil and Italian dressing on vegetables (may use more to cover all).
• Sprinkle veggies with salt and pepper and Cajun Seasoning.
• Roast in oven until soft, usually 45 mins to an hour and 30 mins depending on your oven.
• While veggies are roasting follow the package instructions to cook the Orzo and drain (I start by boiling my water, adding salt and Olive Oil to it, and then adding the Orzo - Doesn't take long to cook. No more than 10mins.)
• When veggies are done remove them from the oven and let them sit to cool off for about 5 minutes.
• Mix Orzo together with the roasted vegetables in casserole dish.
• Serves well hot or cold.
• Enjoy!