Minted Orzo Recipes

LEMON ORZO

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, peel off two large strips of lemon zest.
• Bring orzo, broth, oregano and lemon zest to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook 13-15 minutes uncovered until the orzo is tender.
• Remove from heat and stir in butter. Rest 5 minutes.
• Juice half of the lemon over the orzo, add mint or parsley and stir. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

ORZO WITH MINT SALMORIGLIO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place in a serving bowl. Add the cheese and toss until coated.
• For the sauce: In a small saucepan, bring the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mint and parsley.
• Pour the sauce over the cooked orzo, toss until coated, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

ORZO SALAD WITH MINT & LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook orzo based on the package direction, while pasta is cooking make vinaigrette.
• For the vinaigrette
• Add lemon, zest, honey and salt and pepper and whisk well, drizzle in olive oil and add chopped mint last. Set aside.
• To Assemble
• Place spinach at the bottom of colander and drain hot pasta over spinach to lightly wilt.
• In a large mixing bowl add pasta mixture, bell pepper, onion and cucumber and combine.
• Stir in vinaigrette and combine to coat with dressing.
• Last add the feta cheese and mix one last time.

MINTED ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS AND FETA

Steps:

• Boil the orzo in the chicken broth until tender. Drain and let cool slightly.
• Combine the orzo with the chickpeas, feta, red onion, celery, basil, and mint in a large bowl.
• Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a blender and pulse until well combined and emulsified. Pour over the orzo salad and toss to coat. Let stand for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend before serving at room temperature or even chilled.

MINTED ORZO AND ZUCCHINI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well, rinse in cold water and drain again.
• Meanwhile, arrange a rack about 6 inches from the heating element and preheat broiler.
• Brush zucchini with 1 tablespoon of the oil and arrange on a baking sheet.
• Broil, flipping halfway through, until tender and deep golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside to let cool and then roughly chop and transfer to a large bowl.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil, orzo, lemon juice, mint, garlic, feta, olives, tomatoes and black pepper and gently toss to combine.
• Cover and chill for at least 2 hours, until flavors blend.

ORZO WITH PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and lemon zest, and saute until translucent.
• Add peas, and cook until bright green and tender, adding a little water if shallots brown before peas are tender.
• Add cooked orzo, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Remove from heat, and stir in mint.

BASIL & MINT ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Pour the broth into a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the orzo. Cover partially and cook until the orzo is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes.
• Drain the orzo and transfer to a large wide bowl. Set aside to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, mix the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper and oil in a blender; pour over pasta and mix well.
• Add tomatoes, onion, basil and mint; stir well. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve at room temperature.

MINTED ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute garlic in oil and butter for 2 minutes., Drain orzo and add to the skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Sprinkle with mint.

MINTED SQUASH ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the orzo and cook for 8 minutes; pasta will be slightly undercooked. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the orzo in a colander in the sink.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown and soften, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the cooked orzo and cooking water. Bring to a simmer and stir in 3/4 of the feta; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the water is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and mint.
• Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle the remaining feta over the top and garnish with additional chopped mint.

MINTED SQUASH ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the orzo and cook for 8 minutes; pasta will be slightly undercooked. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain the orzo in a colander in the sink. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown and soften, about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the cooked orzo and cooking water. Bring to a simmer and stir in 3/4 of the feta; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the water is absorbed, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and mint. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle the remaining feta over the top and garnish with additional chopped mint.

MINTY ORZO AND PEAS

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and set aside. , In a large skillet, saute onion and garlic in butter until tender. Add peas. Cook for 2 minutes or until tender. Add the lemon zest, salt, pepper and orzo; heat through. Stir in mint.