Cranberry Pecan Orzo Food

ORZO WITH CELERY, CRANBERRIES AND PECANS

Steps:

• STUFFING: Melt butter with olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add diced onion, cooking 4 minutes or until onions are translucent and golden brown.
• Add celery; cook 4 minutes longer.
• In a large bowl, combine the drained orzo, cooked celery and onion, cranberries, nuts, basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss gently.
• At this point, if desired, the orzo is now ready to be stuffed.
• Variations:.
• As a SIDE DISH: Heat up the olive oil and butter in a saute pan on medium heat. Saute the celery, onion and UNCOOKED orzo pasta until lightly browned.
• Add 3 cups water or broth and bring to boil. Cover pan, reduce heat and simmer on low for 20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.
• Remove from heat and stir in the cranberries, pecans, fresh basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• To make it as a SALAD: boil orzo and cook until tender. Drain and rinse under cool water. Drain again. Transfer orzo to a salad bowl. Add the diced onion, minced celery and shredded basil to the pasta. In a small non-reactive bowl, whisk together about 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice (play around with the proportion and amount of oil and lemon juice as desired), salt and pepper. Stir the vinaigrette into the orzo. FYI: the butter is omitted.

CRANBERRY-PECAN ORZO

Steps:

• Zest oranges, placing zest in a large bowl. Juice oranges, and soak cranberries in the juice in a small bowl. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. While pasta is cooking, chop scallions and place in bowl with orange zest. Add the pecans, drained orzo, cranberries and orange juice, and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil until pasta looks moist. Serve immediately, or chill for later. Can be made a day ahead.

CRANBERRY PECAN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spread pecans evenly on a baking sheet. Toast for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and fragrant.
• In a small bowl, stir together the vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper; mix until sugar and salt dissolve. Whisk in olive oil.
• In a salad bowl, toss together the greens, cranberries, pecans, onions, and cheese. Drizzle with vinaigrette, and toss gently to coat.

CRANBERRY ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package instructions.
• Slice the cuke lengthwise, then slice it.
• Add scallions, chickpeas, cukes, diced peppers and dried cranberries to orzo and toss to mix.
• Season with salt, pepper, vinegar and oil, toss to moisten and thoroughly incorporate ingredients. Taste to adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Can be made up to 3 days ahead to this point. If preparing ahead refrigerate in a suitable container.

CRANBERRY PECAN CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease a 2 quart rectangular baking dish.
• Spread the cranberries evenly over the bottom of the baking dish, and sprinkle the pecans over the cranberries. Spoon 1 cup of sugar over the cranberries and pecans.
• Place the eggs into the work bowl of an electric mixer, and beat on high speed about 1 minute, until the eggs are foamy. Beat in 1 cup of sugar, the flour, melted butter, and milk, and beat on Low until just mixed. The batter will be thick. Spread the batter evenly over the cranberry-pecan mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cake is lightly brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate, so the cranberry-pecan layer is on top. Let cool 30 minutes before serving.

FETA & CRANBERRY ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Add orzo and return to a boil. Cook, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until orzo is tender; drain. , In a large bowl, combine the orzo, feta, cranberries and onions. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, salt and pepper. Pour over orzo mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

WALNUT CRANBERRY ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, saute red pepper and onion in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, cranberries and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Drain orzo; toss with vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with walnuts and Parmesan cheese.