Giadas Orzo Salad Food

CRISPY ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, tapenade, vinegar, oregano and chili paste in a large bowl. Season with the salt.
• For the salad: Add the chopped romaine, roasted red pepper, fennel, provolone and salami to the dressing. Toss well to coat.
• For the pasta: Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the par-cooked pasta and fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove to a paper towel-lined plate and season with the salt. Sprinkle the crispy orzo over the top of the salad and serve.

CRISPY ORZO WITH PEAS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, add the coconut milk, ginger, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the orzo and stir. Cook, stirring to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente, 6 to 7 minutes. Drain well. Remove and discard the ginger.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and heat for 1 minute more. Add the drained orzo and spread out evenly in the skillet. Cook, undisturbed, until the bottom of the pasta is starting to get browned and crispy, about 4 minutes. Flip the pasta, add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and continue to cook, undisturbed, until the other side is browned, about 4 minutes more. Flip again and brown another 3 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and stir in the peas and scallions. Cook another 2 minutes to warm through. Finish with the lemon juice. Serve warm.

BAKED ORZO WITH FONTINA AND PEAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch baking dish.
• Bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the orzo and cook until almost tender, about 7 minutes. Pour the orzo and the broth into a large bowl. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter over medium heat in a medium skillet. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and continue to saute until the mushrooms are beginning to turn golden around the edges, about 7 minutes. Add the Marsala. Scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pan and cook until the Marsala has reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the mushroom mixture to the orzo in the large bowl. Add the cream, fontina, mozzarella, peas, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• In a small bowl combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and dried thyme. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top of the pasta. Bake until golden, about 25 minutes.