I have a newfound love for orzo. Regular readers of Chocolate Shavings will know that I absolutely love simple pasta dishes. I’ve developed most of my pasta recipes to take no longer than the pasta takes to cook. This minty, lemoney spring orzo does just that – it’ s light celebrates the warmer weather (although we haven’t really been seeing much of the beautiful spring days just yet) and makes these wonderful peas come to life.
I’m leaving for a month-long trip to London in a couple weeks, with an interesting food project ahead – stay tuned to hear more about it, and come along for the ride as I discover the great London eats. I’ve started making a list of restaurants, markets and specialty food stores to visit, but I’m definitely up for any advice from the locals!
In the meantime, enjoy the flowers starting to bloom and a good, healthy dose of minty orzo.
Pea, Mint and Feta Orzo
(for 2)
Orzo for 2
3 shallots, finely diced
2 green onions, finely diced
1 cup of frozen peas
1/2 lemon, juice and zest
4 tablespoons of olive oil
1/4 cup of cubed feta
10 mint leaves coarsely chopped
1 good handful of freshly grated parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper
Cook for orzo according to package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, set a pan on low heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced shallot and green onion and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the shallot mixture on low heat, making sure it doesn’t burn. Keep the shallots cooking during the cooking time of the pasta.
When the pasta has 5 more minutes to cook, add the frozen peas to the pasta water.
In your serving bowl add the 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the lemon juice, zest and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Once the pasta is cooked, add the drained orzo and peas directly in the serving bowl. Fold in the cubed feta and Parmesan, and top with the mint leaves. Drizzle with a little olive oil, add some cracked pepper and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Enjoy the read!
Coconut Recipes
April 18, 2010 at 12:39 pm (14 years ago)Mmm, me too! Love simple, easy pasta dishes. This looks awesome! I love the combo of mint and feta. 🙂
Sarah.j.s.
Stephanie Savors the Moment
April 18, 2010 at 1:58 pm (14 years ago)That photo looks straight out of a magazine! I love orzo but always seem to forget about it for awhile. Thanks for the reminder – it looks delicious:)
Ciao Chow Linda
April 18, 2010 at 6:18 pm (14 years ago)looks like a refreshingly light and delicious pasta dish have fun in Ldn.
Nina Timm
April 18, 2010 at 11:18 pm (14 years ago)I love all the Spring flavors you have combined here!!!
Dana
April 19, 2010 at 12:59 am (14 years ago)My mom often made orzo as a side dish and I absolutely loved every bit of it. I still get such a kick out of making it. Gorgeous dish. I would eat as much Middle Eastern food as possible in London and be sure to hit one of the Rasa locations for exquisite South Indian food. Our favorite was the one near Oxford Circus. I also had one of the most memorable meals of my life at Moro. AND if you can get out of town for a bit, The Fat Duck in the town of Bray was the best meal I will probably every have. 3 Michelin stars, very expensive and worth every cent.
Chocolate Shavings
April 19, 2010 at 6:45 am (14 years ago)Dana: thanks for all your wonderful advice, will be checking out as much of it as i can!
The Italian Dish
April 19, 2010 at 8:26 am (14 years ago)What a beautiful dish -it just yells “spring”!
lisa
April 19, 2010 at 10:00 am (14 years ago)This sounds great for spring! Love the mint and feta.
Sanura
April 19, 2010 at 12:02 pm (14 years ago)I accidentally brought some mint this weekend, for it was going into another dish. Now, I know what to do with it. There’s this vendor in Union Square, NY that sells delicious feta cheese, perhaps I’ll stop by to pick a few oz. for this recipe. It’ll be the quick and easy recipe between the heavier meals. Thanks for sharing.
Chocolate Shavings
April 19, 2010 at 12:10 pm (14 years ago)Sanura: Good quality feta cheese really makes a difference in simple dishes like these- I’m sure it will be amazing from the Union Square farmers’ market. Let me know how it turns out!
michelle@TNS
April 19, 2010 at 2:29 pm (14 years ago)this combines so many things that i love…and then feta. i have all the ingredients for this, maybe i finally know what i’m doing with those fresh peas. i’ll shave some parm on top. cue yumminess.
my little expat kitchen
April 19, 2010 at 3:14 pm (14 years ago)This is a very Greek dish! I love it 🙂
Magda
vincent
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Kate Morgan Jackson
April 19, 2010 at 10:01 pm (14 years ago)Once again, STUNNING picture, and the recipe looks completely delicious! Definitely trying this one.
Lori Jandreau
April 20, 2010 at 9:58 am (14 years ago)This looks delicious. Perfect springtime meal. I have yet to find a gluten free orzo, but will keep searching!
Veggie Belly
April 20, 2010 at 1:35 pm (14 years ago)A beautiful photo! I love the hieght from stacking the bowls!
oriana
April 21, 2010 at 4:05 am (14 years ago)I discovered your blog through tastespotting cause I caught a glimpse of this fantastic picture! love the recipes too…
@Lori try substituting orzo with Farro – they say farro or spelt is gluten free..not sure though!
Kitchen Butterfly
April 25, 2010 at 4:02 pm (14 years ago)Enjoy your trip. I recommend a trip to the foodhall at Selfridges and Harrods! Enjoy
Muneeba
April 26, 2010 at 7:33 pm (14 years ago)I’m smitten! this gets a BIG thumbs up from me!
kimberleyblue
May 1, 2010 at 10:36 am (14 years ago)This looks great – simple, vibrant flavours. I love orzo too, its texture is just wonderful.
Perfect spring dish!
Kathy
May 13, 2010 at 10:15 am (14 years ago)so pretty! springtime indeed! 🙂 -kathy