Best Orzo With Dried Fruits And Nuts Recipes

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.

ORZO SALAD WITH ROASTED CARROTS, CURRANTS, AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Cook orzo in plenty of boiling water with 1/2 tsp tumeric added for 8-10 minutes or al dente.
• Drain and set aside to cool.
• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Cut carrots in half lengthwise then slice on the diagonal into 1/2" thick pieces.
• Place in a roasting pan, drizzle with a little oil,sprinkle with spices and toss to coat evenly.
• Roast for 30 minutes, remove and allow to cool.
• Mix orzo,carrots,currants,pinenuts,c8i and vinegar together well.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve hot as an accompaniment or cold as a salad.

ELEGANT ORZO WITH WILTED SPINACH AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. (Firm or slightly undercooked orzo works best for this dish.) Drain, transfer to a mixing bowl, and set aside.
• Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat, stirring to blend. Stir in garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, and reduce heat to medium. Stir in pine nuts and cook until lightly browned. Add spinach, cover, and cook on low heat for 5 minutes, or until spinach is wilted.
• Toss spinach mixture with orzo pasta. Portion onto serving plates with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of crumbled feta cheese and chopped tomatoes. Allow guests to adjust seasoning with salt, as needed. Enjoy!

HERBED ORZO WITH PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Cook orzo in boiling water until al dente. Drain well and transfer to bowl. Toss with butter, garlic, pine nuts, lemon juice, basil and parsley.
• Taste to see if you would prefer salt and pepper or a more lemony taste.
• Tip:.
• f using dried herbs reduce the amount to 1 Teaspoon each.

ORZO FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the pudding mix, sour cream and pineapple. Stir in pudding mixture. Stir in the oranges, marshmallows, peaches, cherries and orzo. Fold in whipped topping. Sprinkle with coconut. cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until chilled.