Parmesan Orzo

Remember my obsession with orzo? Well, I'm still on that train and look for any way possible to incorporate it into our meals. This works great as a main dish or as a side dish. It's easy to mix with some meat or vegetable and looks like cute little noodles... what more could you ask for??

This recipe in particular is one of our absolute favorite side dishes. My mother-in-law makes it for us and before I can go back for seconds - it's gone. Everyone loves it and looks forward to when it is on the table.

Parmesan Orzo
6 SERVINGS 
PREP: 5 minutes           COOK: 20 minutes            READY IN: 25 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/3 cup orzo
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup peas
• 1 cup parmesan cheese (shredded is preferred but grated works as well)

DIRECTIONS

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1. Pour olive oil into large skillet on medium heat. Add onion, salt, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add orzo. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until orzo turns golden brown. 
3. While stirring, pour chicken broth over orzo mixture. Reduce heat to low and cover skillet. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
4. When liquid is absorbed, mix in peas and parmesan to orzo. 

NUTRITION FACTS

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    1 cup serving    386 calories   16.8 g fat   34.7 g carbs    23 g protein    4.1g sugar   

Enjoy!

Garlic Chicken Orzo

I have a new favorite ingredient for my recipes: orzo! Don't know what it is? It's like pasta and rice, mixed into one little grain of happiness. Okay, that's a little dramatic. But seriously, orzo is so easy to cook with, and it gives such a good texture and flavor to our dinner. So naturally when we found this garlic chicken orzo we had to try it, and I'm telling you now - it was delicious! I'm not even ashamed to admit that we polished off the entire pan... just the two of us.

Garlic Chicken Orzo
4 SERVINGS 
PREP: 15 minutes           COOK: 15 minutes            READY IN: 30 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• Grated parmesan (for topping)
• Salt and pepper (for topping)

DIRECTIONS

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1. Cook orzo in large pot for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain.
2. Pour olive oil in medium-high heat skillet. Add garlic and red pepper and cook for 1 minute, or until garlic is golden brown.
3. Add chicken to skillet. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until chicken is cooked.
4. Reduce heat to medium, and add parsley and cooked orzo to chicken mixture. Then add spinach. 
5. Cook for 5 additional minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve with parmesan cheese.

NUTRITION FACTS

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    1 cup serving    462 calories   17.5 g fat   33.2 g carbs    43.7 g protein   

Enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.

Low-Calorie Orzo Chicken Soup

Fall is in the air and I'm suddenly craving soup. But nothing too heavy. I'll take it nice and light, please. This is a great soup that reminds me of Chicken Noodle Soup, but with cute dainty rice like noodles. My kids gave it two thumbs up and especially liked the veggies. (I took a double take when they said that.)

Orzo Chicken Soup
4 SERVINGS 
PREP: 15 minutes           COOK: 25 minutes            READY IN: 40 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 32 ounces organic chicken broth, divided
• 1/2 cup uncooked orzo
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup carrots, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cups chicken, shredded
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 3 fresh parsley sprigs 
• 1 teaspoon thyme 
• 1/2 fresh lemon, squeezed
• dash sea salt
• dash fresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS

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1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 3/4 cups of chicken broth to a boil. Add orzo. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until chicken broth is absorbed.
2. While that is cooking, heat up a large pan on medium heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat. Add the carrots, celery, onion, chicken, the remaining chicken broth (approximately 2 1/4 cups), water, parsley, and thyme. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.  
3. Remove parsley sprigs.
4. Add orzo, lemon, salt and pepper. Simmer one minute.  

NUTRITION FACTS

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    1 serving (approximately 1 cup)    257 calories   6.2g fat   20.1g carbs    27.9g protein    3.4g sugar   

For a variation in this recipe, feel free to add spinach at the end with the lemon, salt and pepper.

*Simple Tip

I love buying whole, cooked rotisserie chickens from our local grocery store. I debone it when I get home and throw it right into the freezer. It makes for quick and easy meals when I need them. 

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.

Spinach Orzo Salad

A few months ago, when we were attending barbecues regularly, we got to try a whole bunch of new recipes. But I have to say, this salad was definitely the best discovery this past summer! My dad, who is an amazing chef, made this for us and instantly we were hooked. I think I've made it a half dozen times since then - each time falling in love with it all over again. It's so flavorful and only takes 20 minutes to prepare. Try it - your friends and family will thank you.

Spinach Orzo Salad
10 SERVINGS 
PREP: 20 minutes           REFRIGERATE: 1 hour            READY IN: 1 hour 20 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 1 package (16 ounces) orzo pasta
• 1 package (12 ounces) fresh baby spinach, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 3/4 cup reduced-fat balsamic vinaigrette
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted (optional)

DIRECTIONS

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1. Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, cheese, onion, and orzo. 
3. In a small bowl, combine the vinaigrette, basil, and pepper. 
4. Pour dressing over pasta; toss to coat. 
5. Chill until serving. Just before serving, stir in pine nuts.

NUTRITION FACTS

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    3/4 cup serving    249 calories   7g fat   38g carbs    9g protein    

Enjoy!