Sesame Orzo With Charred Scallions Recipes

SUMMER ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to high heat.
• Toss the scallions in a bowl with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the scallions until the bulbs are tender and the greens are well-charred, about 8 minutes. Set aside to cool. (Alternately, you can char the scallions in a cast-iron pan on the stove.) Chop the white and light green parts finely, then discard the remaining ends of the scallions.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the orzo. Drop in the orzo and begin to cook. Meanwhile, add the chopped scallions to a medium bowl. Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and half of the olives and whisk until combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• When the pasta is finished cooking, drain and rinse to cool. Immediately toss in some of the vinaigrette, along with the cucumber, tomatoes, herbs, red onion and remaining olives. Mix well. Add more dressing to taste. Top with the goat cheese and serve.

SESAME ORZO WITH CHARRED SCALLIONS

Steps:

• In a dry small heavy skillet cook sesame seeds over moderate heat, stirring, until golden brown, about 4 minutes, and transfer to a bowl.
• In a 3-quart saucepan bring 2 quarts salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain orzo in a colander and rinse under cold water. Drain orzo well and add sesame seeds.
• In an 8-inch non-stick skillet heat oil over high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté scallions, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir scallion mixture into orzo and season with salt and pepper.

RAMEN WITH CHARRED SCALLIONS, GREEN BEANS AND CHILE OIL

Steps:

• Prepare the chile oil: Add the red-pepper flakes and salt to a heatproof bowl. Place the oil, ginger and garlic in a small saucepan, and heat over medium until it bubbles, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and very carefully pour the hot oil over the red-pepper flakes. Add the sesame seeds and sesame oil, and stir well. Set aside while you make the rest of the dish. (Chile oil can be stored in an airtight jar at room temperature for up to a month and indefinitely in the refrigerator.)
• Prepare the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ramen and cook according to package instructions, about 3 minutes, until the noodles are just tender. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain well again.
• Slice the white parts of your scallions lengthwise, in half or quarters, depending on thickness, to make cooking faster.
• Heat a wok or large (12-inch), deep skillet on high. When smoking hot, add 1 tablespoon of oil, toss in the green beans and season with salt. Cook, tossing the beans, for 2 to 3 minutes, until charred. Remove the beans from the wok, and set aside.
• Heat the same wok or skillet over high, and when smoking, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil, along with the scallions (white and green parts) and the ginger. Allow the scallions and ginger to sizzle for 20 to 30 seconds, to release their aromas, then stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until the scallions have a nice scorch.
• Add the green beans and noodles back to the pan, along with 2 or 3 tablespoons of the chile oil (reserve some for serving), and season with salt and pepper. Toss well to combine, just until the noodles are heated through. To serve, divide the noodles into bowls, top with toasted sesame seeds and more chile oil.

SINGAPORE NOODLES WITH CHARRED SCALLIONS

Steps:

• Season eggs with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and whisk well.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large (12-inch) skillet or wok over medium-high, and, once hot, swirl the oil around and pour in the egg mixture. Allow the egg to set before pushing the egg to one side and tilting the pan to the opposite side. Cook this way until the egg is just set. Break the egg into large chunks (they'll break up into smaller pieces on their own), remove from pan and set aside. Wipe out the pan if necessary.
• Prepare the scallions by separating the white and green parts. Halve the white sections vertically so they are thinner, then cut into 2-inch segments. Cut the green parts into 2-inch segments.
• In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high, add the peppers and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, then add the white parts of the scallions in stages. As the scallions wilt, add more and cook until charred, another 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Return the skillet to the stovetop, reduce heat to medium and add 3 tablespoons of oil. Add the curry powder and 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, and stir vigorously to dissolve the curry powder, about 30 seconds.
• Increase heat to medium-high, add the drained vermicelli and ¼ cup of water, and drizzle with another 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil. Using tongs or long wooden chopsticks, toss the noodles well, ensuring that they are well coated in the curry mixture.
• Add the soy sauce and toss for 3 to 5 minutes, until the noodles are tender. Add the peppers, scallion whites and egg back to the pan, along with the scallion greens, and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes until the greens are wilted. Taste and season with more salt, if required.

SESAME ORZO WITH CHARRED ONIONS

Steps:

• In a dry skillet toast sesame seeds until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer to bowl.
• Boil orzo in boiling, salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add to sesame seeds.
• Slice scallions on diagonal into 1 inch pieces.
• Heat oil in non-stick skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking and saute scallions, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir scallion mixture into orzo and season to taste with salt and pepper.