ORZO WITH ASPARAGUS, ARTICHOKE, TOMATO AND TRUFFLE OIL

Orzo with Asparagus, Artichoke, Tomato and Truffle Oil image

Provided by Food Network

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound orzo
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 pound asparagus
6 artichokes, cleaned and halved
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon butter
4 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup vegetable stock
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper
6 tablespoons truffle oil

Steps:

Cook the orzo in boiling salted water until al dente. Rinse in cool water and toss in olive oil. Set aside.
In a small sauce pan, cook balsamic vinegar and sugar and reduce it to a syrup consistency. Set aside. Cut the asparagus tips from the stems. Blanch the tips on boiling salted water. Set aside. Coarsely chop the asparagus stems in a food processor. Set aside. Put the artichokes on a hot grill and cook until brown. Saute butter, garlic, and asparagus in a large pan for 2 minutes. Add wine, vegetable stock, and orzo.
Cook until the pasta is hot and the liquid has been absorbed. Saute asparagus tips with butter and salt until hot Toss pasta with tomatoes and Parmesan, arrange asparagus on top of each pasta portion. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon pasta into 6 portions. Drizzle plates with balsamic and truffle oils. Place grilled artichoke next to each portion.