Fragrant Orzo With Roasted Tomato And Olives Food

ORZO PASTA WITH TOMATOES, BASIL AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the orzo and cook according to the package directions - usually 8 to 10 minutes. Before draining the cooked orzo, reserve 1/3 cup of the pasta water (we use this to make the sauce).
• Add olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes to a large, deep skillet. Turn to medium heat. When the oil bubbles around the garlic, add the cooked orzo pasta, tomatoes, basil, and parmesan cheese.
• Pour in two tablespoons of the reserved pasta water and cook, stirring often, for one minute. Over the minute, the sauce should begin to coat the pasta. If it seems dry, add a splash more of the reserved pasta water and cook a few more seconds. Taste for seasoning and adjust with a bit of salt if needed.
• Serve with extra basil, parmesan, and fresh ground black pepper on top.

TOASTED ORZO WITH OLIVES AND LEMON

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add orzo; cook, stirring, until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 4 cups water and lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover, and simmer until orzo is al dente and liquid is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes (if orzo is cooked but liquid remains, cook uncovered to evaporate).
• Remove from heat. Stir in olives, parsley, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and lemon juice.

BAKED TOMATO & MOZZARELLA ORZO

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.

ORZO SALAD WITH FETA, OLIVES AND BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Transfer to large bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add crumbled feta cheese, chopped bell peppers, Kalamata olives, green onions and capers.
• Combine lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, mustard and cumin in small bowl. Gradually whisk in remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add dressing to orzo mixture and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Garnish salad with pine nuts; serve.

BAKED TOMATOES WITH ORZO AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Halve the tomatoes, hollow and place in an oven to table baking dish. Mix the rest of the ingredients, except the cheese together in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Carefully stuff the tomatoes and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 20 minutes and serve immediately.
• FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
• Slice green tomatoes. Dust with flour, shaking off excess. Dip into beaten egg and coat with bread crumbs. Heat vegetable or peanut oil and fry slices until golden brown on both sides.
• TIP:
• ROASTING TOMATOES
• Heat a dry cast iron skillet until almost smoking, and add your whole tomatoes. Or place the whole tomatoes on a broiler tray. Turn them frequently, until they are blackened and charred on all sides. Peel off the blackened skin, and use in place of regular tomatoes for your salsas or tomato sauces.

ORZO WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the eggplant, bell peppers, onion, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, and pepper on a large sheet pan. Roast for 40 minutes, until browned, turning once with a spatula.
• Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the roasted vegetables to the pasta, scraping all the liquid and seasonings from the roasting pan into the pasta bowl.
• For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and pour on the pasta and vegetables. Let cool to room temperature, then add the scallions, pignolis, feta, and basil. Check the seasonings, and serve at room temperature.

ORZO WITH SMOKEY TOMATO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until the tomatoes are tender and the skins are charred in spots, about 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place in a large serving bowl.
• For the vinaigrette: Place the tomatoes, basil, vinegar, olive oil, honey, smoked salt, and pepper in a blender. Blend until smooth.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta and toss until coated. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Season with smoked salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

ROASTED VEGETABLE ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Place the zucchini, squash, onion, asparagus, and mushrooms in a large bowl; add in garlic, olive oil and sugar, and stir gently to coat vegetables. Spread vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast vegetables until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add bouillon cubes, wine, and orzo, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Stir in roasted vegetables and Parmesan cheese, and serve warm.

FRAGRANT ORZO WITH ROASTED TOMATO AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss tomatoes and diced zucchini in a bowl with 3 T. olive oil , salt and pepper. Turn out the veggies onto a baking sheet and place in the oven to roast while you prepare the other ingredients. Toast the Orzo in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly colored and fragrant. Remove from the skillet, and put on a pot of water to boil. When the water has reached a boil, salt generously, and add toasted orzo, stirring to avoid clumps. While the pasta is cooking, chop the olives, and place in the bowl used for the tomatoes and zucchini. Add the lemon zest and green onion. Check the pasta for doneness, and drain when pasta is al dente. Drain the pasta and add to the bowl with the olives, lemon, and green onion. Remove the roasted tomatoes and zucchini from oven when they become fragrant and shrink a little, and add to orzo mixture. Toss to coat the orzo and mix the ingredients thoroughly. Heat the skillet used for the toasted orzo over medium high heat and add 2 T. olive oil. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper, and add to skillet, cooking in two batches if necessary. Add Shrimp to Orzo, as well as the chopped herbs, and toss again. Divide the Orzo between two plates, and sprinkle with cheese. Serve immediately.