Orzo With Celery Cranberries And Pecans 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.

SPINACH SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES, PECANS, BACON, AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Fry chopped bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined 1/4-sheet tray to drain.
• Toast pecans in the oven on a 1/4-sheet tray until lightly golden and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
• In a medium bowl mash the blue cheese with a fork. Mix in the buttermilk, sour cream, sugar, salt and pepper, to taste.
• Combine baby spinach, red onion, pecans, dried cranberries and bacon in large bowl. Toss with the dressing immediately before serving.

ORZO SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES & PECANS

Steps:

• In a small pan, bring water to boil.
• Stir in orzo and cook until just tender, then drain.
• Combine the warm orzo, cranberries, carrots and cucumber in a medium bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, oil, mustard and honey (and optional thyme if using).
• Pour over orzo mixture and stir to coat.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Stir in scallions and pecans just before serving.
• Garnish with basil or extra cucumber slices.