Spinach Mushroom Orzo With Toasted Walnuts Recipes

ORZO WITH MUSHROOMS AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place walnuts on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until they release their aroma. Stir once or twice for even toasting.
• Heat oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute onion and mushrooms until tender and golden brown.
• Pour in broth, and bring to a boil. Stir in orzo, reduce heat to low, and cover. Simmer until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. If after 15 minutes there is still liquid, remove cover, and cook until liquid is gone. Remove from heat, and stir in walnuts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

SPINACH-MUSHROOM ORZO WITH TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add in onions and sliced mushrooms; cook until tender golden brown (the onions must be browned, this may take about 5-6 minutes or a little more) adding in the chopped garlic and a pinch of cayenne pepper the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• Add in the spinach and cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add in chicken broth; bring to a boil stirring constantly.
• Add in uncooked orzo, stir then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until the orzo is tender (about 20 minutes).
• Remove from heat and stir in the walnuts and Parmesan cheese.
• Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.

ORZO WITH SPINACH AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat a large covered skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and when it is hot, add the spinach with all the water still clinging to its leaves from washing. Cover and cook for 2 minutes, then remove the lid and turn the spinach over with tongs. Replace the lid and cook for 2 minutes more. Repeat until all the spinach is wilted and tender. Stir in a pinch each of salt and pepper. Transfer the spinach to a colander set over a bowl and drain. When cool enough to handle, press down on the spinach to extract as much liquid as possible. Chop the spinach coarsely and reserve the juice.
• In a large heavy skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly golden. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, until the garlic gives off its aroma. Season to taste, stir in the diced tomatoes and the spinach, and cook for 1 minute more. Remove from the heat.
• In a large saucepan, bring a generous amount of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo, stirring occasionally to stop them from sticking, for about 9 minutes or until tender. Drain thoroughly, shaking the colander to get rid of most of the water, and transfer them to the skillet with the spinach mixture and the reserved spinach juice. Toss to mix the ingredients evenly, taste for seasoning and reheat gently before serving.