

Use orzo in soups, salads, seafood dishes, and more. It can also be made from all-purpose or whole wheat flour.
ORZO PASTA HOW TO
To make an orzo recipe gluten-free, substitute with gluten-free orzo or one of the above recommended gluten-free grains in a 1-to-1 ratio.įollow the directions on the package for how to cook the item you’re using, since it’ll likely differ from the cooking instructions for regular orzo. It’s often made from semolina flour, a type of flour that comes from durum wheat. You can, of course, amend the recipe to taste, adding extra vegetables or mixing up the dressing as you like. Then, stir through the orzo, tomatoes, feta cheese, and parsley. 1/2 cup (75 grams) crumbled feta cheeseįirst, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and capers for a dressing.Here’s what you need to make a portion for four people: This type of recipe tastes delicious warm or cold. One of my favorite ways to eat orzo is in a pasta salad. For example, many orzo dishes feature seafood, tomatoes, bell peppers, fresh herbs, feta cheese, olives, lemon, or garlic. Since it’s a type of Italian pasta, it often shows up in Mediterranean-style recipes. Orzo is used in many delicious recipes, including salads, soups, and main dishes. If it’s made with enriched flour, it also contains iron and B vitamins. Orzo is a good source of carbohydrates and provides some protein. If enriched, white rice also contains iron and B vitamins like orzo ( 3, 8).

Orzo also provides some protein, a macronutrient that’s needed to build tissues and muscles ( 7).Īlthough orzo is sometimes mistaken for rice due to their similar appearances, they have different nutrition profiles.Ĭompared with orzo, white rice has a similar number of calories and carbohydrates but less protein and fiber. The carbohydrates in orzo are a source of energy for your body. Iron is a vital mineral for blood health, while B vitamins help your body obtain energy from foods ( 5, 6). This is because many types of pasta sold in the United States are made with enriched flour containing added vitamins and minerals ( 4). It may also have added vitamins and minerals.Ī 2-ounce (1/4-cup or 56-gram) serving of dry orzo contains ( 3):Īs you can see, orzo can be a source of iron and B vitamins. At this point you can add grated Parmesan, garlic, chopped parsley, thawed frozen peas, or any other addition you like.Like other types of wheat pasta, orzo provides carbohydrates. But for straight buttered pasta, just drain it and put it back in the pot with a knob of butter and a little salt and pepper. If you want to serve it in a room temperature salad, rinse it under a little cold water after draining. Boil it just until al dente, which in some cases may be a minute shy of package instructions. It cooks just like pasta in plenty of boiling salted water, but because it’s small, it overcooks easily. Like Israeli couscous, orzo is actually a pasta shaped like a grain. You can also sub 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper for Maras.
ORZO PASTA PLUS
If unavailable, substitute 7 tablespoons fresh parsley plus 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon. Chervil is a much-loved herb in Greece, where its called myronia. It doesn’t get more comforting than that. Orzo is a versatile rice-shaped pasta that is easy to prepare and makes a great addition to any meal. Kritharoto (Orzo Pasta) with Peas, Lemon, and Feta Recipe. Because it’s small and grain-like, orzo works well in soups and salads, but I prefer it hot out of the pot with just butter and salt. The quick-cooking, rice-shaped pasta is a childhood favorite, my mom used to bring orzo pasta salad with shrimp to picnics, potlucks, and other groups events. I never met a buttered noodle I didn’t like, but my buttered starch of the moment is orzo.
