Minted Orzo Recipes

MINTED ORZO SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS AND FETA

Steps:

• Boil the orzo in the chicken broth until tender. Drain and let cool slightly.
• Combine the orzo with the chickpeas, feta, red onion, celery, basil, and mint in a large bowl.
• Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a blender and pulse until well combined and emulsified. Pour over the orzo salad and toss to coat. Let stand for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend before serving at room temperature or even chilled.

ORZO WITH PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and lemon zest, and saute until translucent.
• Add peas, and cook until bright green and tender, adding a little water if shallots brown before peas are tender.
• Add cooked orzo, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Remove from heat, and stir in mint.

MINTED ORZO SALAD WITH GRAPEFRUIT

Steps:

• Combine the grapefruit juice and grated lemon and orange rinds in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Whisk in the olive oil. Add the salt and pepper. Pour half of the liquid into a separate bowl and refrigerate.
• Add the oregano, jalapeno and shrimp to the remaining vinaigrette. Toss to combine and refrigerate for 2 hours. Grill the shrimp over hot coals until cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set aside to cool. Peel, devein and cut into bite-size pieces.
• Pour the broth into a small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat. Combine the olive oil and leek in a nonstick skillet. Cook over medium-low heat until the leek softens, about 5 minutes. Add the orzo and stir to combine. Ladle in 1/2 cup of the broth and stir. Increase the heat to medium and continue adding the broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly, until the orzo is tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold running water. Set aside.
• Put the reserved vinaigrette in a salad bowl, add the salad greens and toss. Add shrimp, orzo, coriander and parsley leaves and toss to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper.

MINTED SQUASH-ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the orzo and cook as the label directs. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water until cool. Drain, shake off the excess water and transfer to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons garlic olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the squash, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature.
• Add the squash to the bowl with the orzo. Stir in three-quarters of the feta, the mint, the remaining 2 tablespoons garlic olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Top with the remaining feta and more mint.

ORZO WITH MINT SALMORIGLIO SAUCE

Steps:

• For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and place in a serving bowl. Add the cheese and toss until coated.
• For the sauce: In a small saucepan, bring the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the mint and parsley.
• Pour the sauce over the cooked orzo, toss until coated, and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

LEMON ORZO WITH MINT

Steps:

• In a medium sized pot, bring water to a boil and add the salt, Orzo, paprika.
• Lower to a simmer and cook, covered,12-15 minutes or until tender,.
• stirring occasionally.
• Let cool slightly and then add the mint, lemon zest/juice and green onions.
• Check for seasoning.
• Serve.