Orzo With Ham And Goat Cheese Food

CHEESY ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat a 8 inch pot with a tight fitting cover over moderate heat. Add oil, onion and garlic and saute for 2 or 3 minutes. Add broth to the pan and bring to a boil. Stir in orzo and return broth to a boil. Cover pot and reduce heat to simmer. Cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until liquid is absorbed and pasta tender. Remove lid and stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. You favorite fresh herbs may also be stirred into the orzo or rice to strengthen the flavor even more.

CREAMY ORZO WITH HAM AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender,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 ham and cook until they are heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the half and half 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 in some reserved cooking liquid until pasta is desired consistency.
• Season the orzo with salt and pepper, and serve.

ORZO WITH ROASTED PEPPERS, OLIVES, AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Roast the peppers over the flame of a gas burner, on a hot grill, or under the broiler, until the skin is black and charred. Remove from the heat and place in a large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit until cool enough to handle, about 15 to 20 minutes. With clean paper towels, wipe off the skin. Remove the stems and seeds and discard. If necessary, briefly rinse under cold water to remove any remaining charred skin. Dice the roasted peppers and set aside.
• In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook just until translucent, but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved peppers and saute for 3 minutes.
• Blanch the orzo in the boiling water for 4 to 5 minutes, or until beginning to cook, but still very al dente. Drain the orzo, reserving the pasta water, and add to the pepper mixture. Add 1 cup of the reserved pasta water and cook, stirring, until creamy and the pasta is cooked tender. Finish with another 1/4 cup pasta water if the mixture is too thick. Stir in the olives and goat cheese and mix until the goat cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Thin with pasta water if the mixture is too thick.
• Garnish with parsley, olives, and a drizzle of olive oil.

HAM, BROCCOLI AND ORZO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large saucepan, bring stock to a boil; stir in orzo. Cook, uncovered, until orzo is al dente and broth is absorbed, 8-10 minutes ., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until blended; cook and stir until lightly browned, 4-5 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Stir in 1-1/2 cups cheese; cook until cheese is melted., Add orzo, ham, broccoli and kale. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish; sprinkle with onions and remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 20-25 minutes.

ORZO WITH ROASTED PEPPERS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Roast peppers over flame of gas burner, or hot grill, or under the broiler until the skin is blackened and charred.
• Remove from heat and place in a large bowl.
• Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit until cool enough to handle, about 15-20 minutes.
• With clean paper towels wipe off skin.
• Remove stems and seeds & chop.
• Set aside.
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add olive oil.
• When hot enough, add onions and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add diced peppers & minced garlic and saute for about 3 minutes.
• Bring to a boil a large pot with water or chicken or vegetable broth and add the orzo and cook, for about 4-5 minutes, partially cooking, to al dente.
• Drain and reserve pasta water.
• Add orzo to peppers, adding 1 cup of the pasta water.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until pasta is cooked tender and consistency is creamy.
• Stir in olives and goat cheese until melted and well blended.
• Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
• Garnish with parsley, olives and a drizzle of olive oil.