Orzo with Artichokes Pine Nuts
Recipe: #4029
January 13, 2012
Categories: Side Dishes, Orzo, Artichokes, Italian, Mediterranean, 5-Minute Prep, Birthday, Fathers Day, July 4th, Picnic, Potluck, Romantic Dinner, Sunday Dinner, Valentine's Day, Non-Dairy, Vegetarian, more
"A very easy quick side dish to prepare. It compliments just about recipe; and it is just one of those wonderful easy side dishes that everyone seems to enjoy."
Ingredients
Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (125.3 g)
- Calories 188.7
- Total Fat - 9.4 g
- Saturated Fat - 2.5 g
- Cholesterol - 58.5 mg
- Sodium - 909.2 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 4.2 g
- Dietary Fiber - 0.5 g
- Sugars - 0.6 g
- Protein - 21.2 g
- Calcium - 15.4 mg
- Iron - 2.8 mg
- Vitamin C - 10.7 mg
- Thiamin - 0.1 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Artichokes ... Drain the artichokes (but reserve the liquid). Dice the artichokes into bite size pieces, or a bit smaller, and add to a small bowl. Add the lemon zest, 1 tablespoon of the reserved liquid from the artichokes, parsley and shallots; mix well.
Step 2
Pine Nuts ... Toast the pine nuts. I prefer 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; and make sure to stir often. 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, return to the pot, the add in the artichoke mixture, pine nuts, and toss well.
Step 4
Finish ... Every brand of marinated artichokes are different. Some have a more "vinegar" based dressing, whereas others are more oil based. So if you like a bit more "of a bite or a vinegar taste," add a little of the red wine vinegar - this is just an option. You can also add a bit more of the artichoke liquid if you like as well. It is all up to personal taste. Season well with salt and pepper.
Step 5
Serve ... This can be served warm, room temp and even chilled. And don't forget to shave fresh parmesan over the top. ENJOY! You could easily add thin sliced chicken over the top for a main course.
Tips
No special items needed.