In the world of gastronomy there is a very popular ingredient in every home kitchen, and using it in some dishes guarantees an incredible flavour and aroma that will delight any palate.

Knowing this staple food, its origins and in which recipes it can be used, allows people to make the most of it in the kitchen.

A pasta-shaped rice

Perhaps you’ve asked yourself the typical question: what is orzo? Well, it must be said that Orzo is a wheat semolina pasta that has the form of a grain of rice. It is considered a dry pasta and is available in some varieties: dry or fresh, neutral and flavoured, as well as coloured with spinach or carrots, for example.

Orzo has its origin in Italy and it has already become quite popular in European cuisine, mostly in Greece and the Middle East, where it can be seen under other names, such as kritharaki, marine rose, pion rooster grass, manestra or reiskorn pasta.

Being made from semolina flour, which is a derivative of durum wheat, orzo gets a more abundant texture and is able to better absorb the flavours of the rest of the ingredients in the dish.

Furthermore, it maintains its shape during cooking, unlike pasta made with white flour that loses consistency and becomes soft.

It should be kept in a cool and dark environment, like other types of pasta, such as cupboards or shelves, but it does not require refrigeration to keep in good condition, both for preparation and consumption.

However, portions from an open package should be stored in an airtight container so that they do not lose their properties, and cooked portions should be refrigerated for later consumption in the next few days.

Short preparation time is one of the aspects that makes orzo unique. This allows you to have a pasta-based meal ready in just minutes. In addition, its ability for absorbing flavours from ingredients around it makes the dining experience more delicious.

Orzo with lamb stew

Orzo is a very versatile ingredient in the kitchen and thanks to that it can be used in a wide variety of gastronomic preparations.

One of the most delicious is orzo with lamb stew and vegetables. Try this not a too complicated recipe at home. This is what you'll need.
  • 1.5 lb (700 grams) of chopped lamb.
  • ½ lb (220 g) of orzo.
  • 1 mid-sized carrot.
  • 1 onion.
  • 1 green pepper.
  • 1 tomato.
  • 1 stalk of celery.
  • 2 cloves of garlic (minced).
  • ½ cup of olive oil
  • 1 cup of red wine.
  • 1 cup of beef broth.
  • Salt, black pepper and aromatic herbs to taste.

Preparation

First, peel and chop the onion, tomato, pepper and garlic, cut the carrot into slices, and remove the leaves of the celery and chop it. Then add the salt and pepper to the chopped pieces of lamb to brown them in a pan with olive oil.

Then remove to rest.

In the same pan with the olive oil, add the onion and garlic until they are struck out, then the carrot, celery and pepper, letting it cook for a while, then add the tomato along with the salt and pepper so that they cook for another five minutes.

After this time, add the black pepper and the mixture of aromatic herbs, such as thyme, oregano or rosemary, this depends on the cook's personal taste.

Next, add the wine to the casserole until the alcohol is reduced, then pour the beef stock and let it cook for a few more minutes. The previously reserved pieces of the lamb must be added to the casserole to cook them covered for about 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, boil the orzo in water (with a pinch of salt) for about eight to ten minutes, drain to serve with the lamb after cooking time. It can be accompanied with vegetables on top and garnished with fresh parsley chopped into small pieces.

With this recipe, people can enjoy a delicious and healthy preparation with orzo, easy to make at home, and with simple ingredients easily found in the stores.

Undoubtedly orzo is a very useful food in the kitchen that guarantees all kinds of delicious preparations.