orzo
Also Known as
Rice shaped pasta.
Description
Orzo pasta is a type of pasta which is made in the shape of a grain of rice. Orzo pasta is often about rice-sized, as well. This pasta is very versatile, and it can be used in a range of recipes, with many people consuming orzo in soups. Many markets carry orzo pasta, and several options may be available for consumers to choose from. The word orzo is Italian for "barley," and a reference to the size and shape of the pasta. You can also see orzo called kritharaki, manestra, rosa marina, reiskornpasta, or pasta gallo pion. This pasta is very popular in Greece especially, although it is used in other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern nations, and in some parts of Germany as well. The small size can make orzo a very fun pasta to work and cook with.
Parboiled orzo pasta-Parboiling is a cooking technique in which orzo pasta are partially cooked in boiling water, but removed before it is cooked all the way through. Many recipes such as stir fry or casseroles call for parboiled pasta .Parboiling them in advances ensures that they get completely cooked in the final dish.
Boiled orzo pasta- As the name suggests refers to the orzo pasta which are boiled. You can use three cups of water per cup of pasta. Cooking pasta in a pan takes around 10-12 minutes. Drain the excess water and let it run in cold water to remove any stickiness. Salt may also be added during boiling.
How to select
The best orzo comes from durum semolina wheat, an especially hard variety of wheat. When soft wheats are used to make orzo, the pasta tends to fall apart during the cooking process, and it can become very mushy and unpleasant. Durum orzo pasta, on the other hand, will retain resilience throughout the cooking process, ever after being baked or simmered in a stew, and it has a very pleasant clear flavor and chewy mouthfeel. In addition to finding orzo pasta in plain varieties, it is also possible to find orzo pasta which has been colored and flavored with vegetables. Spinach orzo is very common, but orzo can also be mixed with beets, carrots, and other vegetables. Choose the pasta as per your recipe requirement. Check the best before date before buying. It is readily available in supermarkets. A smaller version, risi or risoni, can also be used.
Culinary uses
· The classic use of orzo is in soups.
· It can also be used in pilafs. The Greeks have a number of pilaf recipes which call specifically for orzo pasta, but it is also possible to use a rice pilaf recipe, substituting orzo for the rice.
· Orzo performs very well when baked in casseroles as well, and it can be used in things like stuffed peppers and stuffed squash. The pasta absorbs flavors very well and acts as a filler in these dishes.
· You can also eat orzo plain with butter or a light sauce. The pasta takes well to soupy sauces, in which case it can be eaten with a spoon, and because it is so dense, it can also support some heavier sauces, like sauces with meatballs or chunks of sausage. One thing to watch out for, however, is that because orzo is compact, orzo dishes can become very heavy, since it lacks hollow spaces.
· The unique orzo pasta shape combines with vegetables, cheese and fresh herbs to create an easy to prepare side dish
· Orzo pasta can be served as salads, stir frys and with herbed tomato puree.
How to store
Store orzo pasta in an air tight container.
Health Benefits
· Pasta is high in complex carbohydrates, which provide a "time release" of energy rather than a quick boost. Pasta is great source of energy. That is the one reason most sportsmen & women eat pasta before an event. Incorporating pasta into a vegetarian diet gives you those much needed carbs for a hectic day at work or going out to do aerobics
· Often orzo pasta is fortified with B vitamins and folic acids. Pasta is affordable and easy to combine with other folate-rich foods, such as vegetables, nuts, some legumes and fruits
· Pasta is low in sodium and if the recipes chosen are with healthy ingredients like olive oil, vegetables and beans, orzo pasta may qualify as a healthy complete meal.
Glycemic Index
Low
Related Glossary
.webp)
Follow US
Recipe Categories
- Vitamin B12 Cobalamin Rich Recipes 33 recipes
- Low Calorie, Weight Loss Indian Recipes 421 recipes
- Low Cholesterol Indian Recipes 307 recipes
- Healthy Indian Breakfast 372 recipes
- Indian Diabetic recipes 558 recipes
- Indian Pregnancy recipes 461 recipes
- Zero Oil Indian Recipes 133 recipes
- Iron Rich Indian recipes 267 recipes
- Healthy Indian Acidity recipes 132 recipes
- Healthy Sabzis 108 recipes
- Indian Healthy Veg Snack 275 recipes
- Healthy Heart Recipes 415 recipes
- Healthy Veg Indian Soups 74 recipes
- Calcium Rich Indian Recipes 373 recipes
- High Blood Pressure Indian Recipes 100 recipes
- Healthy Indian Salads Recipes 137 recipes
- Low Carb Indian Diet, recipes 160 recipes
- Hypothyroidism Diet 59 recipes
- Arthritis Diet 68 recipes
- Vitamin K Diet 41 recipes
- High Protein Indian recipes 93 recipes
- Fatty Liver Diet 30 recipes
- PCOS 131 recipes
- Gluten Free Veg Indian 193 recipes
- High Fiber 328 recipes
- Indian Cancer Patients 275 recipes
- Jaundice Diet 45 recipes
- Sprouts 61 recipes
- Typhoid 43 recipes
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 20 recipes
- Kidney Stone Diet 9 recipes
- Home Remedies 213 recipes
- Senior Citizen 195 recipes
- Diet for Dialysis 10 recipes
- Healthy Indian Drinks and Juices 212 recipes
- Gout Indian Recipes 17 recipes
- Potassium Rich 80 recipes
- Vegan 194 recipes
- Forever Young Diet, Anti Aging Indian Diet 255 recipes
- Indian recipes to treat Vomiting 7 recipes
- High in Omega 3 Fatty Acids 31 recipes
- Zinc Rich Foods 55 recipes
- Malaria Diet 17 recipes
- Vitamin B1 Rich Indian Foods, Recipes 101 recipes
- Vitamin A Rich, Beta Carotene, Retinol 87 recipes
- Antioxidant Rich Indian 445 recipes
- Low Veg Glycemic Index 86 recipes
- Lower Blood Pressure Salads 7 recipes
- Healthy Indian Dinner 85 recipes
- Magnesium Rich 94 recipes
- Vitamin C Rich Indian recipes 118 recipes
- Healthy Indian Lunch Recipes 29 recipes
- Lactation 25 recipes
- Hyperthyroidism Diet 46 recipes
- Vitamin B3, Niacin Rich 41 recipes
- Vitamin E Rich 50 recipes
- Post Surgery Diet 42 recipes
- Lower Blood Pressure Desserts Sweets 14 recipes
- Selenium 27 recipes
- Phosphorus Rich Indian Recipes, Foods 74 recipes
- Copper 15 recipes
- Foods Rich in Vitamin B2 Riboflavin 22 recipes
- Vitamin B6 Diet 36 recipes
- Vitamin B9 Rich Folate 50 recipes
- B Vitamins 231 recipes
- Manganese Diet 32 recipes
- Thalassemia 18 recipes
- Marathoners, Endurance Athletes, Triathlete 225 recipes
- Detox Water, Fruit Infused Water 42 recipes
- Lactose Free Dairy Free 22 recipes
- Omega 6 Fatty Acids 32 recipes
- Phytonutrients 51 recipes
- Chronic Kidney Disease Indian recipes 12 recipes
- Selenium1 0 recipes
- Quick Snacks / Quick Starters 385 recipes
- Quick Breakfast Indian 132 recipes
- Quick Sabzis 117 recipes
- Quick Rotis / Parathas 46 recipes
- Quick Indian Sweets 139 recipes
- Quick Stir-Fries 51 recipes
- Quick Vegetarian Indian Soups 72 recipes
- Quick Chutneys 67 recipes
- Quick Vegetarian Rice, khichdi Recipes 56 recipes
- Indian snacks under 10 minutes 44 recipes
- Quick Indian Dips, Gravies & Sauces 103 recipes
- Quick Veg Indian Pizza 17 recipes
- Quick Veg Pasta 25 recipes
- Quick Pickles / Aachar 25 recipes
- Quick Dals / quick Kadhis 29 recipes
- Snacks under 5 minutes 33 recipes
- Quick Healthy Recipes 43 recipes
- Quick Pressure Cooker 46 recipes
- Quick Desserts 48 recipes
- Quick 3 Ingredients 63 recipes
- Quick Indian Desserts 17 recipes
- Quick 4 Ingredients 41 recipes
- Quick 5 Ingredients 41 recipes
- Kids Tiffin Box 318 recipes
- Recipes for Toddlers (1-3 Years) 31 recipes
- Sweet Recipes for Kids 453 recipes
- Recipes for Baby (10 to 12 Months) 14 recipes
- Quick Indian recipes for Kids 72 recipes
- Indian Breakfast Recipes for Kids 192 recipes
- Recipes for Weaning (8 to 9 months) 20 recipes
- Healthy Foods for Kids 194 recipes
- Snack Recipes for Kids 619 recipes
- Recipes Kids can make 36 recipes
- Kids After School 794 recipes
- Kids Jar Snacks 66 recipes
- Finger Foods for Babies, Toddlers and Kids 76 recipes
- Kids Weight Gain 43 recipes
- Kids Wraps and Rolls 23 recipes
- Kids Veg Pasta 27 recipes
- Kids Brain Boosting 68 recipes
- Protein rich food for kids 69 recipes
- Recipes for Weaning 13 recipes
- Kids Pizzas 30 recipes
- Babies, Toddler and Kids Iron Rich Foods 31 recipes
- High Fiber Foods for Kids 39 recipes
- Kids Noodles 37 recipes
- Kids High Energy Indian Foods 103 recipes
- Kids Calcium Rich Indian recipes 91 recipes
- Kids Recipes for Increasing Immunity 10 recipes
- Babies recipes, 6 to 18 months 31 recipes
- Kids Weight Loss 58 recipes
- Teething Recipes for Babies 10 recipes
- Cereals and Pulses for 8 to 9 months Baby 5 recipes
- Weaning foods at 7 months 8 recipes
- Indian Teen 315 recipes
- Starters / Snacks 2136 recipes
- Indian Breakfast Recipes 819 recipes
- Main Course Recipes 925 recipes
- Indian Salads 385 recipes
- Indian Desserts , Sweets 985 recipes
- Indian Soups 249 recipes
- Indian Beverages, Indian Drinks 483 recipes
- Indian Dinner 903 recipes
- Indian Dinner1 0 recipes
- Indian Lunch 830 recipes
- Side Dishes 449 recipes
- Indian Travel Food 433 recipes
- Indian Barbeque1 recipes 22 recipes
- Frozen Foods, Indian Freezer Recipes 67 recipes
- Whole Wheat Recipes 56 recipes
- Indian Comfort Foods 212 recipes
- Dinner Menus 56 recipes
- Easy Indian Veg 70 recipes
- Innovative Indian Recipes 27 recipes
- No Cook Indian 37 recipes
- Advanced Recipes 10 recipes
- Cakes with Eggs 13 recipes
- Microwave 230 recipes
- Oven 619 recipes
- Indian Steamer Recipes 102 recipes
- Kadai Veg 406 recipes
- Indian Barbeque Recipes 42 recipes
- Sizzler tray 15 recipes
- Mixer 566 recipes
- Pressure Cooker 315 recipes
- Tava 646 recipes
- Non-stick Pan 1394 recipes
- Appe Mould 17 recipes
- Pan 223 recipes
- Indian Freezer recipes, meals 56 recipes
- Deep Pan 148 recipes
- Non Stick Kadai Veg 203 recipes
- Refrigerator 176 recipes
- Waffle Indian recipes 6 recipes
- Handi 12 recipes
- Juicer and Hopper 64 recipes
- Grill 30 recipes
- Toaster 21 recipes
- Gas Toaster 7 recipes
- Steam 72 recipes
- No Cooking Veg Indian 335 recipes
- Vegetarian baked Indian recipes 380 recipes
- Boiled Indian recipes 129 recipes
- Deep Fry 259 recipes
- Indian Tawa 266 recipes
- Shallow Fry Indian 25 recipes
- Microwave1 173 recipes
- Saute 274 recipes
- Indian Pressure Cooker 171 recipes
- Stir-fry 100 recipes
- Roasting 0 recipes
