Orzo With Kale Recipes

LEMON ORZO WITH PARMESAN, KALE, AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until al dente, approx 7-9 minutes. Drain orzo in a wire-mesh strainer and set aside.
• While orzo cooks chop kale, halve or quarter cherry tomatoes, and mince shallot.
• Next heat a pan to medium heat with ½ teaspoon olive oil. Add minced shallot to hot pan and stir often until tender, approx. 4-6 minutes.
• Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper (to taste) and add lemon juice and broth.
• Add orzo and kale and mix well until kale has wilted and some of the liquid has been absorbed into the pasta. Stir in tomatoes, Parmesan and butter, then season with a pinch of salt and pepper, to taste.
• Optional: serve with lemon wedges to add an extra burst of citrus flavor, if you'd like! Enjoy!

CREAMY LEMON ORZO WITH WINTER GREENS

Steps:

• Cook 2 cups sliced Tuscan kale in olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, 2 minutes. Add 2 sliced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute; season with salt and pepper. Add 2 cups vegetable broth and 1/2 cup heavy cream; bring to a simmer. Stir in 1 cup orzo and cook 9 minutes. Stir in 3 ounces baby spinach. Turn off the heat; stir in 3/4 cup grated Parmesan and 1 tablespoon each lemon zest and juice. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil.

ORZO WITH MINI SAUSAGE MEATBALLS AND KALE

Steps:

• Remove the casings from each sausage link, then pinch about 1 teaspoon sausage with your fingers and roll it into a mini meatball. Repeat with remaining sausage. (Each link should yield 10 to 13 meatballs.) Brown the meatballs in a large cast-iron, enameled cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat, until nicely browned all over, about 6 minutes total.
• Add the chicken stock to the pan along with the orzo. Cover and simmer on medium heat for 5 minutes. Lift the lid and give it a stir, making sure no pasta is sticking to the pan. Add the kale, nestle it in, then cover and simmer another 2 minutes. Lift the lid and add the juice from half the lemon (cut the remaining half into wedges). Stir and simmer until the orzo is just al dente, an additional minute or so. Season to taste with a pinch of salt if needed.
• Divide among shallow bowls and garnish with plenty of grated Parmesan, along with extra lemon wedges and parsley. And crusty bread. Always.