Primavera Orzotto
Welcome spring with a bowl of Primavera Orzotto—where velvety orzo takes the place of rice in this light yet creamy twist on risotto.
Servings 4 people
Calories 512 kcal
Green Stock
- 30 grams Italian parsley leaves about 1/2 cup
- 170 grams frozen green peas, about 1 cup, no need to thaw
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 113 grams chicken or vegetable stock, about 1/2 cup
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Orzotto
- 1 large leek, white and light green part, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 280 grams dried orzo, about 1 1/2 cups
- 450 grams chicken or vegetable stock about 2 cups
- 340 grams asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces, about 1 bunch
- 225 grams chicken or vegetable stock about 1 cup
- 170 grams thawed frozen peas about 1 cup
Garnish
- 28 grams grated Parmesan cheese
Make Green Stock
Place parsley leaves, frozen peas, lemon juice, vegetable or chicken stock to blender. Puree until smooth. Stream in olive oil at very end of blending time. Set green stock aside.
Make Orzotto
Fill a medium sized bowl with cold water. Place sliced leeks into bowl and use your hands to swish the leeks around. Remove leeks from bowl and discard sandy water.
Heat a large, high sided skillet or pot over medium heat. Add butter and olive oil. Add leeks and saute over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. If they start to burn, add a few Tablespoons of water.
Add orzo and saute for 1 minute until all the grains are coated in oil. Add 2 cups of stock and reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally so the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the skillet, until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 6 minutes.
Add asparagus and an additional cup of stock and continue cooking for another 4 minutes, stirring every minute or so.
Add green stock and peas and continue cooking for another 2 minutes.
Top with grated cheese and serve.
Calories: 512kcalCarbohydrates: 80gProtein: 23gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 423mgPotassium: 841mgFiber: 10gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 2393IUVitamin C: 53mgCalcium: 148mgIron: 5mg