Best Toasted Sesame Orzo Recipes

TOASTED SESAME ORZO

Steps:

• Place sesame seeds in a small skillet. Cooke over medium heat until golden brown, stirring constantly. Set aside.
• Cook pasta according to directions, omitting salt. Drain and set aside.
• Melt margarine in medium skillet. Add spinach and garlic; cook over medium heat until spinach is wilted. Stir in milk, cheese, oregano, paprika, pepper and seeds; serve immediately.

CREAMY ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a heavy large saucepan of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook until they are tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the cream and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the Parmesan to the pasta mixture and toss to coat. Stir the pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with salt and pepper, and serve.

TOASTED ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the orzo and cook, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes. Add 3 cups water, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and the lemon zest and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Uncover and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the orzo is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• 2. Transfer the orzo to a large mixing bowl, remove the lemon zest and let cool about 10 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, tomatoes, if using, feta cheese, parsley, capers, dill and lemon juice. Season with additional salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ROASTED SHRIMP AND ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.
• Meanwhile, place the shrimp on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread out in a single layer. Roast for 5 to 6 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through. Don't overcook!
• Add the shrimp to the orzo and then add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back to room temperature before serving.

ROASTED VEGETABLE ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Place the zucchini, squash, onion, asparagus, and mushrooms in a large bowl; add in garlic, olive oil and sugar, and stir gently to coat vegetables. Spread vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast vegetables until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add bouillon cubes, wine, and orzo, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Stir in roasted vegetables and Parmesan cheese, and serve warm.

ONE-PAN ORZO WITH SPINACH AND FETA

Steps:

• Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium, then melt butter, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in about three-quarters of the scallions (saving some of the green parts for garnish) and garlic, and cook until softened, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in spinach, adding in batches if it doesn't all fit in the pan at once, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is nearly cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed, 10 to 14 minutes, stirring once or twice.
• Stir in cheese, peas (if you like) and dill, cover the pan, and cook for another 1 minute, to finish cooking and warm the peas. To serve, sprinkle with more cheese and the reserved scallions.

TOASTED ORZO WITH OLIVES AND LEMON

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add orzo; cook, stirring, until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 4 cups water and lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover, and simmer until orzo is al dente and liquid is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes (if orzo is cooked but liquid remains, cook uncovered to evaporate).
• Remove from heat. Stir in olives, parsley, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and lemon juice.

TOASTED ORZO WITH PEAS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Heat butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and salt and cook, stirring frequently, until onion has softened and is beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until most of orzo is lightly browned and golden, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Turn off heat and add vermouth and chicken broth.
• Go back to medium-high heat and bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until all liquid has been absorbed and orzo is tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Gently stir in peas, cheese, nutmeg, and pepper to taste.
• Remove from heat and let it stand until peas are heated through, about 2 minutes.

LIGHT AND REFRESHING SESAME ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook orzo pasta in boiling water for about 4 minutes.
• Rinse with cold water and drain.
• Place in a large bowl.
• In a liquid measuring cup with a spout, mix the dressing ingredients together.
• Slice the water chestnuts if they weren't presliced, and then cut the slices into quarters to make small pieces.
• Add these to the bowl with the pasta.
• Add the broccoli, onions, bell pepper, peas, carrots, and sprouts to the bowl, and mix gently but thoroughly.
• Add the dressing and mix again.
• Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
• Before serving, stir the salad up to remix it, and sprinkle sunflower kernals on top.
• Thinly slice the orange and then cut the slices in half.
• Stand these up around the edge of the bowl as a garnish.
• Serve cold or at room temperature.