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Orzo with Peas and Mint

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on November 7, 2011

Time

55 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 to 8

Orzo with Peas and Mint

Ingredients

1 pound orzo 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 onion, chopped fine2 garlic cloves, minced3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth ½ cup white wine Salt and pepper 1 ½ cups frozen peas 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves 2 teaspoons lemon zest 2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon

Before You Begin

In step 1, watch the orzo closely toward the end of the toasting time—it can quickly go from browned to burnt. Be sure to use low-sodium chicken broth or the dish will be too salty.

Instructions

  1. PREPARE ORZO Toast orzo in large skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 8 minutes; transfer to bowl. Melt butter in empty skillet. Cook onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  2. SIMMER Add broth, wine, toasted orzo, and ¾ teaspoon salt to pan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring every 5 minutes until liquid has been absorbed and orzo is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in peas, mint, lemon zest, and lemon juice and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.
Orzo with Peas and Mint

Orzo with Peas and Mint

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

55 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

1 pound orzo
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup white wine
Salt and pepper
1 ½ cups frozen peas
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon

Ingredients

1 pound orzo
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup white wine
Salt and pepper
1 ½ cups frozen peas
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon

Ingredients

1 pound orzo
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup white wine
Salt and pepper
1 ½ cups frozen peas
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon

Why This Recipe Works

To get the flavor we wanted in our Orzo with Peas and Mint recipe, we toasted the orzo in a dry skillet. After a few minutes, the orzo turned an even golden brown. To build flavor, we cooked the toasted orzo in chicken broth and added a bit of white wine instead of water. Stirring with restraint was the key in this recipe—too much stirring released the starch in the orzo, which made for a sticky, heavy dish.

Before You Begin

In step 1, watch the orzo closely toward the end of the toasting time—it can quickly go from browned to burnt. Be sure to use low-sodium chicken broth or the dish will be too salty.

Instructions

  1. PREPARE ORZO Toast orzo in large skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 8 minutes; transfer to bowl. Melt butter in empty skillet. Cook onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  2. SIMMER Add broth, wine, toasted orzo, and ¾ teaspoon salt to pan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring every 5 minutes until liquid has been absorbed and orzo is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in peas, mint, lemon zest, and lemon juice and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

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