Orzotto is an Italian dish similar to risotto, but made with pearl barley instead of rice. Orzotti are a speciality of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy. The name is a portmanteau of orzo and risotto.
This one pot recipe is the perfect addition to our collection of simple meals! Recipe Created For Round Dutch Oven. Cook time is about 1 hour. Serving size is 2-4 people.
INGREDIENTS
Shrimp
1 pound peeled, deveined shrimp
2 garlic cloves, grated
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Orzotto
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large shallot, minced
1 cup orzo
2 garlic cloves, grated
2 to 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 cup fresh (or frozen) English peas
2 ears of corn, kernels removed
4 ounces (1 cup) grated white cheddar cheese
1 ounce (1/4 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup small basil leaves
INSTRUCTIONS
- Toss 1 pound of peeled, deveined shrimp, 2 grated garlic cloves, the ZEST ONLY of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium bowl. Refrigerate if you aren’t cooking right away, otherwise allow the shrimp to marinate at room temperature.
- Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a heavy-bottomed pot, preferably a Dutch oven or braiser, over medium heat. Add 1 large, minced shallot and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in 1 cup orzo and 2 grated garlic cloves and stir until the orzo is coated in butter and the garlic starts to smell fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Stir in 2 1/2 cups chicken stock and raise the heat to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and cover for 8 to 10 minutes, until the orzo is tender but there’s still about 1/2 cup liquid in the skillet.
- Stir in 1 cup fresh English peas and the kernels from 2 ears of corn. If your skillet is starting to look dry, stir in 1/4 cup chicken stock. Place the shrimp in an even layer over the orzo and re-cover the pot for an additional 4 to 5 minutes.
- When most of the shrimp are pink but some are still slightly translucent (uncooked), remove skillet from heat and stir in 4 ounces (1 cup) cheddar cheese, 1 ounce (1/4 cup) grated Parmesan cheese, and the juice from HALF of the zested lemon. The shrimp will finish cooking in the residual heat.
- Garnish with 1/4 cup small basil leaves.