Mint, Peas and Bacon Orzo Recipe
I always get so excited when I wake up to my CSA basket. I love all of the goodies inside.
This time there was fresh mint. Oh the smell of fresh mint is so wonderful.
My mind is going in a million different directions tying to decide what I can make with the mint.
Have you ever made a risotto before? It is such a luscious rice dish, that takes so painstakingly long to make.
But if you use Orzo, which is actually a pasta and not a grain, you can get a great “risotto” without a lot of fuss.
So, with mint on my mind, I settle on Mint, Peas and Bacon Orzo.
I have way too much bacon in the fridge that needs to be cooked. (Shh, don’t tell anyone, but the last three supermarket visits the hubby brought home bacon).
Mint, Peas and Bacon Orzo
Author: Marlene Baird
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 3 pieces center-cut bacon, chopped and cooked
- 2 cups peas
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 4 green onions, finely chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1½ cups orzo
- 2 Tablespoons fat-free half and half
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
- ¾ cup mint leaves, finely chopped, divided
Directions
Bring stock to a simmer in a saucepan (do not boil). Keep warm.
Heat a saucepan over medium-low heat.
Using the pan from the bacon, pour out the grease, and clean the pan using a paper towel, but don’t wash it.
Add garlic and scallions; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally
Add 1 cup stock to;pan
Add the orzo and stir frequently about 5 minutes.
Continue adding 1 cup stock until it is absorbed before adding the next cup until you end up with one cup left.
stir in peas and cook about 10 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Add the last cup of stock stirring occasionally until all the liquid is absorbed
Add the bacon and ½ of the mint.
Cook about 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from heat; Stir in the half and half.
Add half of the cheese and stir
Sprinkle with remaining cheese and remaining mint.
Serve immediately.
PP Value
6 PP per serving
3.2.1753
For a switch from Arborio Rice, which is used to make risotto, use Orzo instead.
So creamy and delicious. Oh, yeah, if you want to skip on the half and half, you can. It really won’t change the taste of texture at all.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.
Marlene