Orzo With Celery Cranberries And Pecans Recipes

ORZO PASTA SALAD WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Bring water, orzo, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until orzo is tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Rinse orzo under cold water and scrape into a large bowl. Let cool for 20 minutes.
• Stir in green onions, celery, cranberries, lemon juice, sesame oil, vinegar, olive oil, and cayenne pepper. Let stand at room temperature until flavors blend, about 1 hour. Stir in pecans and cilantro before serving.

WALNUT CRANBERRY ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, saute red pepper and onion in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, cranberries and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes., Drain orzo; toss with vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with walnuts and Parmesan cheese.

ORZO SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES & PECANS

Steps:

• In a small pan, bring water to boil.
• Stir in orzo and cook until just tender, then drain.
• Combine the warm orzo, cranberries, carrots and cucumber in a medium bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, oil, mustard and honey (and optional thyme if using).
• Pour over orzo mixture and stir to coat.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Stir in scallions and pecans just before serving.
• Garnish with basil or extra cucumber slices.

ORZO WITH CELERY, CRANBERRIES AND PECANS

Steps:

• STUFFING: Melt butter with olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add diced onion, cooking 4 minutes or until onions are translucent and golden brown.
• Add celery; cook 4 minutes longer.
• In a large bowl, combine the drained orzo, cooked celery and onion, cranberries, nuts, basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
• Toss gently.
• At this point, if desired, the orzo is now ready to be stuffed.
• Variations:.
• As a SIDE DISH: Heat up the olive oil and butter in a saute pan on medium heat. Saute the celery, onion and UNCOOKED orzo pasta until lightly browned.
• Add 3 cups water or broth and bring to boil. Cover pan, reduce heat and simmer on low for 20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.
• Remove from heat and stir in the cranberries, pecans, fresh basil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• To make it as a SALAD: boil orzo and cook until tender. Drain and rinse under cool water. Drain again. Transfer orzo to a salad bowl. Add the diced onion, minced celery and shredded basil to the pasta. In a small non-reactive bowl, whisk together about 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice (play around with the proportion and amount of oil and lemon juice as desired), salt and pepper. Stir the vinaigrette into the orzo. FYI: the butter is omitted.

CRANBERRY-PECAN ORZO

Steps:

• Zest oranges, placing zest in a large bowl. Juice oranges, and soak cranberries in the juice in a small bowl. Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. While pasta is cooking, chop scallions and place in bowl with orange zest. Add the pecans, drained orzo, cranberries and orange juice, and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil until pasta looks moist. Serve immediately, or chill for later. Can be made a day ahead.

WILD RICE & ORZO CRANBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Bring chicken stock for rice to boil and add wild rice simmer for 55 minutes covered. In separate saucepan, add cranberries and wine, bring up to boil and continue cooking on medium-low for 5 minutes and put in a bowl to cool. Next, bring water to boil for orzo, add orzo and cook pasta for 9 minutes. Note when done you won't need to drain orzo as it should absorb most of the liquid and you may need to add a bit more. You will likely have time to chop other ingredients while rice finishes. When rice done, put in a large bowl with orzo and combine well. Add celery, onion, parsley, pecans, and cranberries and mix well again. Add dressing and mix well again and chill.