Orzo with Artichokes and Pine Nuts
Recipe: #4335
January 26, 2012
Categories: Side Dishes, Lemon, Onions, Italian, 5-Minute Prep, Birthday, July 4th, Labor Day, Mothers Day, Picnic, Potluck, Romantic Dinner, Vegetarian, more
"A very easy quick side dish to prepare. Goes wonderful with just about anything. It is just one of those wonderful easy side dishes that everyone seems to enjoy."
Ingredients
Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (193.3 g)
- Calories 441.3
- Total Fat - 10.9 g
- Saturated Fat - 2.7 g
- Cholesterol - 58.5 mg
- Sodium - 911.2 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 60.2 g
- Dietary Fiber - 8.3 g
- Sugars - 0.4 g
- Protein - 26.4 g
- Calcium - 17.9 mg
- Iron - 3.4 mg
- Vitamin C - 10.6 mg
- Thiamin - 0.2 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Artichokes ... Drain the artichokes (but reserve the liquid). Dice the artichokes into bite size pieces and add to a serving bowl. Add the lemon zest, 1 tablespoon of the reserved liquid from the artichokes, parsley, shallots, and mix well.
Step 2
Pine Nuts ... Toast the pine nuts. I like to toast them in a dry saute pan over medium to medium high heat. They only take a few minutes. Once you start to smell the nuts, they are probably done - just keep an eye on them, they go very quickly. Remove from the heat, cool, and rough chop.
Step 3
Orzo ... Bring salted water up to a boil, and cook the orzo according to package directions. Once the pasta is done, drain, and add to the artichoke mixture along with the pine nuts, salt and pepper; then toss well. You can add a bit more of the artichoke liquid if you want a bit more flavor; or you can add a teaspoon of the red wine vinegar which is optional, but adds a nice "tang" to the dish. It is all a personal preference.
Step 4
Serve ... Garnish with parmesan and scallions if you want. This can be served warm, room temp and even chilled. ENJOY!
Tips
No special items needed.