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Toasted Orzo with Peas and Parmesan

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 to 8 as a side dish

Toasted Orzo with Peas and Parmesan

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 medium onion, chopped fine (about 1 cup)table salt 2 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 2 teaspoons)1 pound orzo 3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth ¾ cup dry vermouth or dry white wine10 ounces frozen peas (about 1 ¾ cups)2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)pinch ground nutmeg Ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; when foaming subsides, add onion and 3/4-teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until onion has softened and is beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add orzo and cook, stirring frequently with heatproof rubber spatula, until most of orzo is lightly browned and golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Off heat, add vermouth and chicken broth. Return skillet to medium-high heat and bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until all liquid has been absorbed and orzo is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. With rubber spatula, stir in peas, Parmesan, nutmeg, and pepper to taste. Let stand off heat until peas are heated through, about 2 minutes; adjust seasoning with salt and serve.
Toasted Orzo with Peas and Parmesan

Toasted Orzo with Peas and Parmesan

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 to 8 as a side dish

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped fine (about 1 cup)
table salt
2 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
1 pound orzo
3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
¾ cup dry vermouth or dry white wine
10 ounces frozen peas (about 1 ¾ cups)
2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)
pinch ground nutmeg
Ground black pepper

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped fine (about 1 cup)
table salt
2 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
1 pound orzo
3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
¾ cup dry vermouth or dry white wine
10 ounces frozen peas (about 1 ¾ cups)
2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)
pinch ground nutmeg
Ground black pepper

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped fine (about 1 cup)
table salt
2 medium garlic cloves, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
1 pound orzo
3 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
¾ cup dry vermouth or dry white wine
10 ounces frozen peas (about 1 ¾ cups)
2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)
pinch ground nutmeg
Ground black pepper

Why This Recipe Works

Toasting the orzo before cooking it risotto-style was the key to an outstanding orzo pilaf recipe. Finely grated Parmesan stirred in at the end made the pilaf creamier, and a pinch of nutmeg pointed up the cheese's nuttiness.

Instructions

  1. Heat butter in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; when foaming subsides, add onion and 3/4-teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until onion has softened and is beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add orzo and cook, stirring frequently with heatproof rubber spatula, until most of orzo is lightly browned and golden, 5 to 6 minutes. Off heat, add vermouth and chicken broth. Return skillet to medium-high heat and bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until all liquid has been absorbed and orzo is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. With rubber spatula, stir in peas, Parmesan, nutmeg, and pepper to taste. Let stand off heat until peas are heated through, about 2 minutes; adjust seasoning with salt and serve.

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