Lemon Dill Orzo Pilaf Recipes

GREEK LEMON RICE RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash rice well and then soak it for about 15 to 20 minutes in plenty of cold water (enough to cover the rice by 1 inch). You should be able to easily break a grain of rice by simply placing it between your thumb and index finger. Drain well.
• Heat about 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large sauce pan with a lid (like this one) until oil is shimmering but not smoking. Add onions and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and orzo pasta. Toss around for a bit until the orzo has gained some color then stir in the rice. Toss to coat.
• Now add lemon juice and broth. Bring liquid to a rolling boil (it should reduce a little), then turn heat to low. Cover and let cook for about 20 minutes or until rice is done (liquid should be fully absorbed and rice should be tender but not sticky.)
• Remove rice from heat. For best results, leave it covered and do not disturb rice for about 10 minutes or so.
• Uncover and stir in parsley, dill weed and lemon zest. If you like, add a few slices of lemon on top for garnish. Enjoy!

GREEK LEMON PILAF

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender.
• Add rice and orzo and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• Add chicken broth and lemon juice and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed.
• Fluff pilaf up with fork and stir in chopped parsley.

LEMON DILL ORZO

Steps:

• Bring lightly salted water to boil (we add a little olive oil to the water as well).
• Add orzo and cook as directed, normally 9 to 10 minutes for al dente.
• While boiling roast pine nuts in pan until golden brown and fragrant. Remove and set aside.
• Once orzo is done, drain and place back in pot.
• Add all other ingredients in with orzo, mix well.
• Scoop out desired amount per plate, serve!

CHICKEN, LEMON, AND DILL WITH ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a saucepan, bring broth, 3/4 cup water, butter, salt, and pepper to a boil. In a 3-quart baking dish, combine chicken, orzo, feta, dill, lemon zest and juice. Pour broth mixture over orzo and stir once to incorporate. Bake until orzo is tender and cooking liquid is creamy, 40 minutes. Sprinkle Parmesan on top and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

GREEK LEMON RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Rinse rice well then soak for 15-20 minutes in enough cold water to cover the rice by one inch. Drain well.
• Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large saute pan with a lid. Add garlic and orzo pasta. Cook and stir for a few minutes, until orzo is lightly browned. Stir in the rice.
• Add the lemon juice and broth and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
• Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Uncover and stir in parsley, dill, lemon zest, and salt and pepper, to taste, Serve immediately.

LEMON DILL ORZO PILAF

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring the water, chicken bouillon and 1 Tbs olive oil to a boil.
• Add the orzo and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender.
• Drain the orzo and rinse with plenty of cool water.
• Shake of excess water and reserve orzo at room temperature.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and add the other 1 Tbs olive oil.
• Toss in the orzo, dill, lemon zest and salt and pepper to taste.
• Mix to combine and add the lemon juice.
• Toss to mix well and serve immediately.

SEARED SCALLOPS WITH ORZO AND RICE PILAF

Steps:

• In a three quart saucepan, melt the butter on medium heat and cook the onion until it's soft. Stir in the orzo and cook for one minute. Stir in the rice and cook for another minute. Add the chicken stock and bring it to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook on low heat for twenty minutes.
• Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
• In a cast iron skillet, on high heat, melt one tablespoon of the butter in the olive oil.
• Sear the scallops on both sides until they're golden brown and cooked through, about four minutes on each side. Remove to a plate and cover to keep warm.
• Wipe the pan clean and add the wine, and simmer until it's reduced to a few tablespoons.
• Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the rest of the butter. Add the lemon zest and basil and serve over the scallops.

LEMON DILL BAKED ORZO WITH GRUYèRE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter a 2-quart gratin dish or other shallow baking dish and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons zest.
• In a heavy saucepan cook shallot and celery in butter and oil over moderate heat, stirring, until celery is softened. Add flour and cook mixture, stirring, 3 minutes. Add broth in a stream, whisking, and bring to a boil, whisking. Add remaining 1 teaspoon zest and salt and pepper to taste and simmer sauce, whisking, until thickened, about 3 minutes.
• In a kettle of salted boiling water cook orzo until just al dente, about 6 minutes, and drain well. In a large bowl stir together orzo, sauce, dill, and Gruyère and transfer to prepared dish.
• Bake orzo in middle of oven 30 minutes, or until bubbling and slightly crusty.