Nigella Orzo Food

ORZOTTO WITH PANCETTA & PEAS

Steps:

• Put the pancetta in a large, deep frying pan over a medium-high heat and fry until crisp and golden. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate and set aside. Reduce the heat, add the onion along with a pinch of salt and fry in any leftover fat for 5 mins. Add the garlic and continue to fry for a further 3 mins.
• Increase the heat and stir in the orzo. Fry for 2 mins, stirring constantly, then pour in 500ml stock and bring to a simmer. Add more stock by the ladleful, stirring constantly, as the orzo absorbs the liquid (similar to cooking a risotto).
• After 5 mins, stir in the petit pois and bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue to add the remaining stock, stirring, as the mixture cooks. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the orzo is cooked through. Add the lemon zest and juice, basil, parmesan and fried pancetta. Season to taste, then cover and leave to rest for 2 mins. Serve with extra parmesan sprinkled over the top.

ONE POT ITALIAN CHICKEN & ORZO / RISONI PASTA

Steps:

• Mix Marinade ingredients together in a large bowl. Add chicken and mix to coat. Marinate for 1 hour - 24 hours (See Note 3 to skip marinating).
• Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 4 minutes on each side, or until cooked. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm while resting.
• Turn heat up to medium high. Add oil if required.
• Add onion and garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Add capsicum and cook for 1 minute or until onion is translucent.
• Add risoni, tomato, chicken stock, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Mix and bring to simmer, then lower heat to medium low or so it simmers gently.
• Cook for 9 - 10 minutes, stirring frequently (otherwise it will stick).
• Take it off the stove when the risoni is just cooked (touch under is ok, finishes cooking in residual heat very quickly). It should still be saucy (see video).
• Stir through parmesan and basil - excess liquid will evaporate in this step.
• Spoon risoni into serving bowls, top with chicken. Serve with extra parmesan and basil.

MEATBALLS WITH ORZO

Steps:

• 1. Line a large baking sheet with cling film, then put all the ingredients for the meatballs into a large bowl and mix together, gently, with your hands. Don't overmix, as it will make the meatballs dense-textured and heavy. 2. Pinch out pieces of this mixture and roll between the palms of your hand to form meatballs that are somewhere between a cherry tomato and a walnut in size, putting them on your lined tray as you go. You should get about 30 meatballs. 3. Fill a measuring jug with 1 litre of cold water and put near the hob. 4. Heat the oil in a heavy-based casserole or pan that comes with a lid and is large enough to take the meatballs and pasta, too. Cook the chopped onion over a medium heat, stirring every now and again, for about 10 minutes, or until completely softened, then stir in the parsley and oregano and cook, stirring for a minute or so before adding the vermouth. Let this bubble up for a minute and then tip in the tomatoes. Half-fill the empty tins with water from the jug you have at the ready, give them a good swill, and pour into the pan, along with the rest of the water and the salt. Bring to the boil, turn the heat down, clamp on the lid and leave to simmer gently for 10 minutes. 5. Uncover the pan and drop the meatballs gently into the simmering sauce. I try to let these fall in concentric circles, working around the pan from the outside edge inwards, but this is more habit than necessity. Bring it back up to the boil, then turn the heat down again, put the lid back on and simmer the meatballs for 20 minutes. Remove the lid, tip in the orzo, stir gently and turn up the heat to bring back to a bubble. Cook at a robust simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked. You will have to give the odd gentle stir throughout this time to make sure the orzo isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan. 6. Serve in shallow bowls, sprinkled with parsley, and with Parmesan on the table alongside.

NIGELLA'S EASY ORZO FOR THE FAMILY

Steps:

• Warm the oil in a large enough pan that it will fit all the ingredients. You can see I use a pretty large high-sided frying pan.
• Add the pancetta and cook until it's crisped up. Throw in the peas.
• Add the pasta in with the peas and pancetta then pour in the boiling water.
• Let it all simmer for about 10 minutes until done. You can add more boiling water if needed.
• Once finished add the butter and parmesan.