I thought I would take a break from Quinoa this week and try orzo instead. The garden is over flowing with spinach. I thought it would be the perfect time to whip up a simple batch of toasted orzo with spinach and pine nuts. I’m sure there is a much more efficient way of making this dish, but this is my version. To put it simply, I love it. And I want to marry it.
Recipe – Toasted Orzo with Spinach and Pine Nuts
Ingredients
1 16 oz package orzo, cooked
4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic, mined
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
Cook the Orzo according to the directions on the package {I tossed mine in boiling water for 8 minutes and then drained}.
Once the orzo has cooled {about 15 minutes}, place 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a saute pan. Toss in orzo in the saute pan and toast over medium heat {about 8 minutes} making sure to stir frequently. Add the lemon juice to the orzo about half way through cooking.
Once toasted, place the orzo on a cookie sheet.
Toss the spinach and garlic in the saute pan for 1 minute. Place on cookie sheet.
Dry toast the pine nuts in the saute pan {about 1 minute}. Place on cookie sheet.
Add salt and pepper to orzo, spinach and pine nuts.
Combine with a large spoon and add the toasted orzo with spinach and pine nuts to a large bowl and serve.
$13.98
Super Natural Every Day: Well-loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen
Jennifer Jo says
Toasting the orzo is a great idea! I’ve always thought orzo was a little too slimy. A brief toasting would cure that. Brilliant.
Mavis says
Thanks JJ. I thought it turned out great.
Linda says
Why a cookie sheet? Am I missing something? Why not put it all into a bowl?