Orzo with Snapper

Orzo with Snapper, two of my favourite things in one dish!

Orzo pasta or risoni has to be one of my favourite pasta and I have been making this pasta in many different ways since 2007.

There is a small story behind this orzo pasta, so back in 2007 when I moved to Tokyo I wanted to make risotto at home after having it for the first time in my life. I went to the supermarket and searched the risotto rice and with my broken Japanese I managed to buy something which looked like rice. It was all written in Japanese so I didn’t know what I was buying.

I came home and started cooking this pasta like risotto and after about 15 minutes I realised it’s not rice. Sigh… Well since I am always good with my instincts when it comes to cooking I managed to salvage the dish into something edible, but it wasn’t risotto of course.  After that day I made the orzo in so many different ways and fell in love with this pasta!

This Orzo with Snapper is a wonderful combination, it has the carbs, the protein, the vegetables and most of all the incredible flavours!

If you like eating fish then do check this flavourful Sea Bass and this simple Sole Fish recipe.

How to serve Orzo with Snapper?

I served this dish with Asparagus sauce, for the snapper and sauce recipe check out my Instagram profile.

So this is how you make this Orzo with Snapper.

Ingredients for Orzo:

• 250g Orzo pasta
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 banana shallot or red onion finely diced
• 2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
• 1 red chilli chopped (optional)
• Black pepper to taste
• Salt to taste
• 1 Red capsicum or bell pepper small diced
• Water to boil
• Chopped Pistachios for garnishing

Ingredients for the dressing:

• 1 tsp dijon grainy mustard
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ½ lemon zest
• 1 tsp parsley chopped
• Red Chilli chopped to taste
• Black Pepper to taste
• ½ tsp honey
• 2 tsp olive oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

To make the dressing whisk all the ingredients together and add olive oil to make a dressing. Keep it aside.

For Orzo, heat olive oil and toast the orzo till it turns golden. Add in plenty of water and salt, boil till al dente. Drain and wash with cold water so it doesn’t stick.

Heat the butter, add in the garlic, saute till it is golden. Add in the shallot or onion and saute just for a minute or so till it is translucent. Add in the chilli, capsicum and seasoning, saute for another minute.

Add in the cooked orzo and mix it well. Continue to cook for 2 minutes. Drizzle the dressing over  the cooked orzo before serving it. Garnish with pistachios and parsley if you like. Serve warm!