Sesame Orzo With Charred Scallions Food

TAHINI-PARMESAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When the water's boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Add the tomatoes, season with salt, and cook, shaking occasionally, until charred and wrinkly, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl to cool.
• In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the tahini and grated Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. (Mixture will be thick.) When the pasta is drained, add 1/2 cup pasta water to the dressing and stir until smooth. Add the pasta to the bowl with the tomatoes, then stir in enough dressing to coat. (You won't use all of it just yet.) Let cool for 15 minutes or up to 3 hours at room temperature.
• When ready to eat, stir the rest of the dressing into the pasta. Stir in water (reserved pasta water or tap) as needed until the pasta is glossy and creamy. Stir in the mint, scallions, sesame seeds and chopped Parmesan, reserving a little for garnish if desired. Season to taste with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

SESAME ORZO WITH CHARRED SCALLIONS

Steps:

• In a dry small heavy skillet cook sesame seeds over moderate heat, stirring, until golden brown, about 4 minutes, and transfer to a bowl.
• In a 3-quart saucepan bring 2 quarts salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain orzo in a colander and rinse under cold water. Drain orzo well and add sesame seeds.
• In an 8-inch non-stick skillet heat oil over high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté scallions, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir scallion mixture into orzo and season with salt and pepper.

WHITE SOONDUBU JJIGAE (MILD TOFU STEW)

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven, combine kelp, radish, dried shiitakes and 5 cups of water, and bring to a simmer over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer kelp and mushrooms to a cutting board, and transfer broth with radish pieces to a bowl and reserve. Chop kelp into 1-inch pieces, very thinly slice the mushrooms and add both to reserved broth.
• In the empty Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high. Add all but ¼ cup of the scallions, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 2 minutes. Add garlic, sesame seeds and ginger, and stir until well combined and fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then add the reserved broth and vegetables, the zucchini and soy sauce, and bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until zucchini and radish are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in tofu and sesame oil, and cook until tofu is warmed through, 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide jjigae in 4 bowls and garnish each with some of the reserved scallions. Serve hot with rice on the side.