Creamy Squash Orzo Recipes

BROWN-BUTTER ORZO WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• In a medium Dutch oven, or a large (12-inch) skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it doesn't burn.)
• Stir in shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add squash, sage, a large pinch of salt, the 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and the 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, and cook until squash is golden at the edges and begins to soften, 12 to 17 minutes.
• Add stock and bring to a simmer. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and the 1 teaspoon salt. Cover the pan and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is just tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 14 to 18 minutes, stirring once or twice. If the pan dries out before the orzo and squash are tender, add a splash or two of water.
• Remove pan from heat and stir in Parmesan. Taste and add more salt if needed, and a squeeze of lemon juice if the dish needs brightness. Dollop with ricotta if using, and sprinkle with more grated Parmesan and black pepper just before serving, garnishing the top with more red-pepper flakes and sage.

CREAMY ITALIAN ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender but still al dente (slightly firm), stirring often, about 8 minutes. Drain, saving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, mushrooms and garlic, and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the half and half and peas. Add the orzo and toss to coat. Remove pan from heat. Add parmesan to pasta mixture.
• Stir pasta mixture until the sauce coats the pasta thickly, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to maintain a creamy consistency. Season the orzo with desired amount of salt, and serve hot.
• Chunks of chicken or shrimp could be added if you choose to serve this as a main dish.

CHICKEN WITH CREAMY BUTTERNUT SQUASH ORZO

Steps:

• Peel and seed squash, then cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Mince garlic.
• Using meat pounder, pound thick part of chicken breast to 3/4 to 1 inch thickness. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Place chicken, skin side down, in cold 12 inch skillet, Cover and place over medium heat. Cook, without moving , unitl skin is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Continue to cook, covered, until skin is deep golden brown, rotating skillet halfway through cooking. Transfer to platter, tent with foil.
• While chicken cooks, melt butter in large sauce pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about thirty seconds. Stir in orzo and cook for one minute. Add squash and broth, bring to boil, and cook, stirring often, until orzo and squash are both tender, about 15 minutes.
• While orzo is cooking grate parmesan (1 cup) mince three tablespoons chives and squeeze 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
• Off heat stir in babay spinach, nutmeg, parmesan, 2 tablespponsschives and lemon juice. Let sit unccovered for 5 minutes to thicken. Sprinkle renaining chives over chicken.

CREAMY SQUASH ORZO

Steps:

• Cook orzo pasta according to package instructions.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, cut squash into half, place in the ovenproof dish skin side up with a bit of water on a bottom and bake 30-40 minute. Wrap garlic gloves in greased aluminum foil and bake on a rack together with squash.
• Take out squash and garlic from the oven and let them cool. When cold enough to handle scoop out the seeds from the squash and throw them away. Using fork take out the inside of the squash into a bowl.
• Add squash into a food processor. Cut off the stems from each garlic clove and squeeze out of its skin into a food processor. Combine with Greek yogurt, almonds, salt and pepper and process until smooth.
• In a pot mix with orzo, parsley and add more salt or pepper if necessary. Heat slightly and serve.
• Tip: I tried making this dish with other type of pasta, I think elbows and it did not work that well. I mean it worked great when it was eaten right away but when I left a portion for the next day it became a bit lumpy and elbows became somehow overcooked so if you want to make more for the next day do not combine all the sauce with pasta at once, leave some separate for the next day and combine just before eating. Plus I think it just looks and tastes better with orzo but you can experiment with other types of pasta. When combined with elbows it becomes healthier version of mac & cheese. Also it might be good to substitute almonds for parmesan.