Orzo is a very common and always available in Turkish kitchens, it is called Şehriye in Turkish.
Orzo comes in various shapes, you can watch here how these shapes are produced. These pine nut shaped ones are the most common. You can also find ones that are thin, and even star or heart shaped. There are ones that are also available in alphabet letters.
You can use orzo in variety of dishes such as soups, pilafs and even salads. This recipe is about using orzo as a pilaf.
You can feel free to cook it without adding any vegetables. But do keep in mind that adding vegetables just mean a little chopping and the result is so colorful.
When out for shopping orzo, try to pick ones that are not very thin for this pilaf.
How long do you boil orzo?
This recipe does not need boiling orzo like cooking it as if cooking pasta. However if you were to use that method about 10 minutes would be enough. Taste a couple before removing from the water and draining.
This is a low cost side dish, easily prepared and kids love it. If you like this recipe you might want to use orzo with another recipe on this blog which is Chicken over Orzo.
Try and enjoy.
Orzo Pilaf with Vegetables
Ingredients
- 300 grams orzo
- 375 grams warm water
- 100 grams peas
- 1 carrot
- 1 red pepper
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 chicken boullion optional
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 5 stalks dill chopped – optional
Instructions
- Peel and then chop the carrots to very small cubes
- Cut the vertically pepper vertically into half. Take out and discard the seeds. Then chop the to small cubes, similar to the size to the carrots.
- Use a non-stick pot. Add the butter and the olive oil to melt the butter over medium heat.
- First sauté the carrots for a few minutes, then add the red peppers and also sauté for a few minutes.
- Chop the garlic and add.
- Add the chicken boullion now, if you choose to use one and make sure it is well dissolved. As the chicken bullion is salty adding a little bit of salt and pepper will be enough. Adjust according to your taste. If you are not using chicken buillion increase the amount of salt you are using.
- If you have chicken stock available replace the chicken buillion and the water.
- Leave out chicken buillion and chicken stock and turn this dish into a vegetarian/vegan one.
- Add the orzo and saute for a minute, until it slightly changes color. Do not wash the orzo before adding. Orzo is similar to pasta only small sized.
- If you are using frozen peas add the peas now.
- Add warm water to cover.
- Cook over high heat until the water comes to boil again, then reduce the heat.
- Cook until the water is soaked up. Mixing only once in a while will be enough to make sure the orzo does not stick on the bottom of the pot.
- If you are using canned peas – which are already cooked. Add after the orzo is ready, but still warm. Mix gently.
- Garnish with chopped dill and serve warm.