Butternut Orzo Risotto Recipes

BUTTERNUT SQUASH ORZO RISOTTO

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add butternut squash and cook until tender. Drain and set aside, reserving about one cup of cooking liquid.
• In a small saucepan, bring vegetable stock to a boil.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil. Add leeks and cook until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Add orzo, cook for 2 to 3 min or until lightly toasted. Add boiling stock and reduce to a simmer. Simmer uncovered until liquid is absorbed and orzo is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using back of a fork or a potato masher, mash the squash with a few tablespoons of cooking liquid. Season with salt and pepper.
• Once orzo is cooked, add spinach, parmesan cheese and mashed butternut squash. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper.

CREAMY ORZO RISOTTO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat a small rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
• In a medium bowl, toss squash with oil and salt; spread in a single layer on prepared baking sheet, leaving space between squash cubes. Roast, stirring halfway through, until squash is tender and lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat; add orzo. Stir constantly until orzo begins to smell toasty, about 3 minutes. Add water, broth and thyme sprigs; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until liquid is nearly absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Remove thyme sprigs; stir in half-and-half, cheese and roasted squash. Season well with salt and pepper; serve. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.

BUTTERNUT ORZOTTO

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the butternut squash and saute until just starting to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and onions and saute until fragrant and translucent, 2 minutes longer. Add the orzo and continue cooking another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the wine and cook until absorbed.
• Gradually add the chicken broth while stirring. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the liquid is almost absorbed and the orzo is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Stir in the Parmesan, half-and-half and sage. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

BROWN-BUTTER ORZO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• In a medium Dutch oven, or a large (12-inch) skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it doesn't burn.)
• Stir in shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add squash, sage, a large pinch of salt, the 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and the 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, and cook until squash is golden at the edges and begins to soften, 12 to 17 minutes.
• Add stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and the 1 teaspoon salt. Cover the pan and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is just tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 14 to 18 minutes, stirring once or twice. If the pan dries out before the orzo and squash are tender, add a splash or two of water.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in Parmesan. Taste and add more salt if needed, and a squeeze of lemon juice if the dish needs brightness. Dollop with ricotta if using, and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan and black pepper just before serving, garnishing the top with more red-pepper flakes and sage.