Orzo With Goat Cheese Tomato And Fresh Basil Recipes

TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE ORZO

Steps:

• Boil the orzo in salted water until al dente, based on box directions. (About 7-8 minutes.) Drain the orzo, reserving one cup of pasta water. Mix cooked orzo with creamy goat cheese and set aside.
• If using Campari tomatoes, cut them into quarters. If using cherry tomatoes, cut them in half. Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook for about 5 minutes until tomatoes start to blister.
• Turn the heat down to medium. Stir in sliced shallots, and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, and cook 1 minute.
• Stir in heavy cream, half of the chopped herbs, and a pinch of pepper. Cook until the cream thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
• Spoon the goat cheese orzo directly into the pan, and add 1/4 cup of pasta water. Stir to mix it in completely with the tomato sauce, continually adding a splash of pasta water until it is as creamy as you like it. (I usually use about 1/2 cup of pasta water.)
• Turn off the heat from under the pan, and stir in the parmesan, remaining chopped herb, and the juice from the lemon wedges. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

ORZO WITH TOMATOES, BASIL, AND GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the orzo pasta; cook and stir until the orzo has lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the onion, and cook until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes. Add 1 clove of garlic; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the vegetable broth, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cover; simmer until the orzo is tender yet still a little firm to the bite, 12 to 14 minutes.
• In a mixing bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, 1/2 of the fresh basil, garlic, and remaining olive oil.
• Spoon the cooked orzo into a serving bowl. Top with tomato mixture, and sprinkle with Gorgonzola and remaining basil.

GOAT CHEESE AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO ORZO

Steps:

• Heat butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Add orzo and cook 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in water, Basil, Salt, Pepper and sun-dried tomatoes, bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until liquid is absorbed, and orzo is done, about 15 minutes.
• While orzo is cooking, toast pine nuts in toaster oven, or lightly brown in saute pan.
• Remove orzo from heat, stir in cheese and pine nuts.

SUN-DRIED TOMATO BASIL ORZO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Place basil leaves and sun-dried tomatoes in a food processor. Pulse 4 or 5 times until blended.
• In a large bowl, toss together the orzo, basil-tomato mixture, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Serve warm or chilled.

ORZO-STUFFED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, cut a thin slice off the top of each tomato. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/2-in. shell. Set aside 6 tablespoons pulp for filling. Invert tomatoes onto paper towels to drain. Drain orzo., In a small heavy saucepan, cook butter over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the heat; stir in the cheese, basil, parsley, salt, pepper, orzo and reserved pulp. Spoon into tomatoes. , Place in an ungreased 2-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.