Asparagus and Pea Risotto-Style Orzo
Cook What the Market Offers 2 creamy orzo bowls · Active 15 min · Total 30 min Skills: Easy Orzo gives a creamy, risotto-like finish without asking you to stir a pan of rice for half an hour. The small pasta cooks in measured stock, with asparagus and peas added near the end. It is a good use for a modest market bunch of asparagus and the last handful of peas from a small freezer. Jump to ingredients Use the stalks as well as the tips Trim away woody asparagus ends, then cut the tender stalks into short pieces. Keep the tips separate because they soften faster. Thick stems can be peeled near their base if the outer skin is tough. This keeps the pieces pleasant to eat without throwing away the entire lower half of the bunch. Creaminess without a cream carton Orzo releases starch as it simmers, and a little Parmesan finishes the sauce. Stir regularly enough to prevent the small grains sticking, especially around the edge of a compact burner. Keep some hot water nearby so you can loosen ...