Butternut Squash And Sage Orzo Food

ORZO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, SAGE, AND BACON

Steps:

• In a large saucepan bring 4 cups of the broth to boiling. Stir in orzo. Cook about 8 minutes or until tender; drain. Return orzo to hot pan; cover and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in a 4-quart Dutch oven cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings in Dutch oven.
• Add onions to the reserved drippings; cook about 4 minutes or until tender. Add sage and garlic; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add squash and remaining 1/2 cup broth. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until squash is tender. Cook, uncovered, until most of the liquid is evaporated, stirring occasionally. Stir in cooked orzo and bacon.

BROWN-BUTTER ORZO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• In a medium Dutch oven, or a large (12-inch) skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it doesn't burn.)
• Stir in shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add squash, sage, a large pinch of salt, the 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and the 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, and cook until squash is golden at the edges and begins to soften, 12 to 17 minutes.
• Add stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and the 1 teaspoon salt. Cover the pan and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is just tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 14 to 18 minutes, stirring once or twice. If the pan dries out before the orzo and squash are tender, add a splash or two of water.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in Parmesan. Taste and add more salt if needed, and a squeeze of lemon juice if the dish needs brightness. Dollop with ricotta if using, and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan and black pepper just before serving, garnishing the top with more red-pepper flakes and sage.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE ORZO

Steps:

• Melt butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until tender, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add butternut squash and stir to coat. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and wine. Simmer until squash is almost tender and liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, bring 3 1/2 cups broth to boil in heavy saucepan. Add orzo. Boil until tender but still firm to bite, about 8 minutes. Drain orzo if necessary.
• Transfer orzo to large bowl. Stir in butternut squash mixture, then Parmesan and sage. Season with salt and pepper.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH ORZO

Steps:

• In a deep skillet, melt butter with oil over medium-high heat.
• Add onion and cook for about 6 minutes, or until tender and starting to brown.
• Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add squash and stir.
• Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and simmer over medium heat until liquid is absorbed and squash is barely tender.
• While it is simmering, bring the remaining broth to a boil.
• Add orzo and cook for about 8 minutes, until cooked al dente.
• Drain any excess liquid.
• Combine squash mixture with orzo and heat together for a few minutes, until the squash is tender.
• Pour into a bowl and toss with basil and cheese.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.

PASTA WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SAGE

Steps:

• Dice the squash into half-inch cubes, and toss with olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper.
• Place on a greased baking sheet.
• Heat the oven to 350°, and roast the squash until soft.
• Roasting time will vary from 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the age of the squash.
• Remove from the oven and toss the squash with the chopped sage to infuse the flavor.
• Let cool.
• In a hot skillet, toast the breadcrumbs.
• (If desired, sauté a little garlic in oil until brown, then add the breadcrumbs and continue toasting.) In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add the pasta.
• Cook until the pasta is al dente (meaning it has a bit of resistance when bitten into).
• Drain the pasta, then toss with the squash, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
• (If the pasta seems too dry, toss with a little chicken or vegetable stock, or a bit of the pasta water.) Garnish with fried sage leaves and Parmesan cheese shavings.

BAKED ORZO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Place a skillet over high heat and add oil.
• Saute onion for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add mushrooms and garlic and continue to saute until mushrooms have released their liquid and they are golden.
• Add chicken stock and bring to boil.
• Pour mushroom and stock mixture orzo and rosemary into a 8x8 baking dish.
• Season with salt and pepper and bake 35 minutes until liquid is absorbed.