In North America, orzo is the name for a short-cut pasta shape that resembles a large grain of rice. It’s confusing because in Italian orzo means barley. And in Italy this rice-like pasta shape is called risoni. While orzo is traditionally made from white flour, it can also be made of whole grain durum wheat. Orzo is popular shape served in soups and salads. This lemony recipe is a easy and satisfying Mediterranean diet dish!
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- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 large red onion, chopped
- 1 cup whole-wheat orzo
- 1 large carrot, chopped
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
- 1 pound of medium shrimp, cooked
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered, optional
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, optional
- In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Sauté onion until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Stir in orzo and carrot, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour in broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and oregano. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer. Stir occasionally, cooking until pasta is al dente, about 12 minutes.
- Stir in spinach, shrimp and optional tomatoes. Continue to cook until spinach wilts and tomatoes are warm. Season to taste and serve.
- Serves 4.
Nutrition Facts per serving: 245 calories, 6 grams fat, 17g carbohydrate, 29 grams protein, 4 grams fiber (Sodium content may vary depending on brand of chicken broth used.)
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