Are you looking for a delicious and easy to make dish? Orzo is the perfect option! This article will show you five amazing recipes that you can make with this versatile ingredient. Not only will you learn how to make delicious dishes, you’ll also learn some of the health benefits that come with these dishes.
From quick mid-week meals to slow-cooked dinners, the recipes featured in this article have something for everyone. Not to mention, all of the recipes are easy to follow and require no special equipment.
What’s more, orzo is an incredibly versatile ingredient and can be used in a variety of dishes, such as soups, salads, pastas, and more. So, if you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious meal that can be prepared in no time, get a packet of orzo here: riceselect.com/product/orzo.
Where Does Orzo Come From?
Orzo is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine. It is commonly found in Greece and Italy, in different dishes and preparations. This cuisine is followed by all the countries along the Mediterranean coast and it is very popular worldwide due to its principles. Based on fresh ingredients, this cuisine looks to provide healthy dishes made from local ingredients.
Its basic principle is sustainability. Farmers follow specific procedures to care for the land at the same time they make the most of it to get high-quality ingredients.
Other Classic Ingredients of the Mediterranean Cuisine
Olive oil is the number one ingredient. It is locally produced and highly consumed. You are going to find olive oil in every single recipe.
Dried tomatoes and feta cheese are two ingredients that are also often used together. Dried tomatoes are produced by removing the water content of fresh tomatoes and leaving the remaining flesh to dry.
Feta cheese is a salty, tangy cheese, produced from sheep’s milk or a combination of sheep and goat milk. When used together, these two ingredients make a delicious combination. Dried tomatoes have a strong flavor which contrasts nicely with the creamy feta cheese.
Mediterranean cuisine also uses a wide variety of fresh herbs and spices together with vegetables. In most dishes, you will find a portion of vegetables with some seafood and the carbs in the shape of rice, orzo or noodles.
Mediterranean Recipes
Below, you will find five orzo-based recipes following the Mediterranean diet. Remember orzo can be used as a substitute for rice so, if you want to experiment with new recipes, start with those rice-based recipes you know so well and change it to orzo.
Orzo with Mushrooms and Garlic
Orzo with mushrooms and garlic is a delicious and easy to prepare dish. It is made with orzo pasta, mushrooms and garlic, cooked in a savory broth. The flavors of the mushrooms and garlic are enhanced by the savory broth and the texture of the orzo is perfect for this dish. It is usually served as a main dish, but can also be served as a side. This dish is perfect for those who don’t have a lot of time to cook, as it only takes about 25 minutes to prepare. It can also be easily adapted to suit any dietary needs, as it is naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan by using vegetable broth and omitting the cheese.
Creamy Orzo with Asparagus and Fresh Basil
This is a simple and delicious dish that can be easily prepared at home. It is a combination of orzo (rice-shaped pasta) cooked with cream, asparagus and fresh basil, garlic, butter and Parmesan cheese.
First, cook the orzo in boiling water until it is al dente. Then, in a separate pan, heat the butter and garlic. Add the asparagus and cook for a few minutes. Add the cream and cook for a few more minutes. Finally, mix in the cooked orzo, fresh basil and Parmesan cheese, and serve.
This dish is great for a light dinner or an appetizer. It is creamy, flavorful and can be made in less than 30 minutes.
Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This is a traditional Greek dish made with orzo pasta, olive oil, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and various herbs and spices. It can be served as a side dish or as a main course.
The dish is usually cooked in a skillet or a pot, and the ingredients are cooked together until the orzo is tender and the sun-dried tomatoes are softened. It is then seasoned with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to taste.
Orzo with sun-dried tomatoes is an excellent way to add flavor to a meal, and it is also very versatile. It can be served with grilled meats and vegetables, as a salad, or as part of a casserole. It also makes a great addition to soups, stews, and other dishes.
Orzo with Roasted Vegetables and Pesto
If you want to try a delicious and nutritious dish, this is the one. Orzo is an Italian-style pasta, shaped like a grain of rice, that can be combined with a variety of ingredients.
Roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, squash, or mushrooms, add texture and flavor. Pesto, a traditional Italian sauce made of basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, adds a punch of flavor.
This dish is a great way to get a balanced meal with plenty of vegetables and protein. It is also easy to make and can be served either hot or cold. Additionally, this particular recipe is one of the five delicious Orzo dishes mentioned in the article, which you will enjoy cooking.
Orzo with Spinach, Garlic and Parmesan
This is the last delicious and simple dish in this list. It is prepared with orzo pasta, which is a small, rice-shaped pasta. This dish also requires spinach, garlic and Parmesan cheese.
The spinach adds flavor and a nutritional value to the dish. The garlic adds a wonderful aroma and a unique taste. The Parmesan cheese gives the dish a delightful flavor. This dish can be served as a main course or side dish. It can also be served as a part of a larger meal. All the ingredients come together to create a delicious and nutritious dish that can be enjoyed by all.
If you try any of these recipes, let us know how it goes in the comment section below!
Nicola Holder 
Nina Smith