One Pot Creamy Parmesan Orzo Food

CREAMY ORZO

Steps:

• PREP: Cut veggies and chicken before starting to cook; the process goes quickly! Finely chop the onion and garlic, cut the chicken breast into small pieces, and chop the broccoli into small pieces. Set out the rest of the ingredients.
• COOK: Heat olive oil in a large (nonstick) pot over high heat. Add onion and stir around for 1-2 minutes and then add in garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add the chopped chicken, season with salt and pepper; cook until mostly cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add in all the frozen vegetables (no need to thaw) and finely chopped broccoli. Stir for 2-3 minutes or until veggies are thawed and chicken is cooked through. Broccoli should be crisp-tender. Transfer this entire mixture to a plate and cover with foil.
• COOK CONT.: Return the pot to burner. Melt the butter, whisk in the flour and cook and stir for 1 minute. Gradually add in the stock, whisking constantly. Add in the milk and all the uncooked orzo. Add in the Italian seasoning.
• FINISH COOKING: Bring mixture to a simmer, then lower the heat until it is just barely and gently bubbling. Cook for 7 minutes without a lid, stirring occasionally and making sure to scrape the bottom so the orzo does not stick. After 7 minutes the pasta should be almost tender (mixture will still be soupy). Add the plate of veggies and chicken to the pot and stir. Add 3/4 cup Parmesan and stir to melt. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Don't be afraid to add a bit more-- the salt and pepper really pull all the flavors together.
• SERVE: Consistency should be similar to risotto and very creamy. (Add a splash of milk if needed to thin consistency a bit.) Serve with additional 1/4 cup Parmesan if desired and some freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy while hot.

CREAMY ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the cream and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the Parmesan to the pasta mixture and toss to coat. Stir the pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with salt and pepper, and serve.

CREAMY PARMESAN ORZO

Steps:

• heat the olive oil in a skillet over about medium-high heat.
• add onion and saute for a few minutes
• add garlic and orzo pasta and saute until the orzo is starting to brown slightly.
• add a dash of salt and pepper. BE CARFUL WITH THE SALT! with the chik. broth and parmesan cheese it will be to salty if you add too much.
• Start adding the warmed chicken broth a little at a time letting it evaporate before you add more. Do this with about half of the chicken broth and then pour in the rest of it.
• Let this come back to a simmer.
• cover and reduce heat to low.
• simmer for about 30 minutes or until orzo is al dente.
• Just before serving add parmesan cheese to taste. I use a couple of palms full.