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Monday, September 10, 2007

Enjoying Orzo while watching Indian Idol 3


Orzo
(from Latin hordeum) is Italian and means "barley" but in common usage in the United States, orzo is understood to mean rice-shaped pasta, slightly smaller than a pine nut its rice shape, orzo is not made out of rice but of hard wheat semolina. This type of pasta is incorporated in many delicious recipes and this one is yet another salad kind of dish from Giada's Everyday Italian aired on foodtv.

I am so in love with her recipes which are simple, quick and easy to prepare. I made few variations like using fresh methi sprouts (the first pair of leaves from fenugreek seeds) instead of baby Arugula to match the nutty bitter taste. I used sweetened dried cranberries instead of dried cherries as her recipe suggests. And here is a salad meal which leaves our taste buds dance to the tunes of Amit Paul-Indian Idol 3.

I am sure those who devotedly follow II-3 will know whom I am referring too. This guy rocked my heart specially while singing "Nasha yeh pyar ka nasha hain" and "Pehla Nasha" the romantic numbers of Aamir Khan (my favo). Check this also. Amit Paul is coincidentally an AK fan and from Shillong and is a versatile and completely mind blowing singer and I hope he wins the title.
f you want more info on Amit check here and lastly don't forget to check what Javed Akhtar comments. All the best Amit, you rock! If you want more info check these Bloglinks for Indian Idol 3 click here and here.

Now back to pavilion, here is the recipe:

Orzo with lemon, feta, dried cranberries, basil and methi sprouts





Source: Adapted from Giada's Everyday Italian Cuisine: Italian
Prep time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 5 mins
Makes: 2 people
Ingredients:
1 cup of orzo pasta
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup of fresh methi sprouts
¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup sweetened dried cranberries
7 fresh basil leaves, torn
2 tbsps pine nuts, toasted
2 tbsps lemon juice
1
½ tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Method:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
  2. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Drain pasta and put the pasta on a large cookie sheet.
  4. Drizzle the pasta with a tablespoons olive oil, toss, spread out, and set aside to cool.
  5. Once the orzo is cool, transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and toss gently to combine and serve with your favorite lunch or dinner menu.


33 comments:

Rajitha said...

padma...how professional does that photo look...wow!! and ur orzo looks soo much better than Giada's trust me..

Tee said...

Wow Padma..your orzo looks so inviting! I have seen this recipe on giada's show, and frankly i wasn't that impressed, but looking at your version makes me change my mind... i think i should try it soon. :)

Padma said...

Hey Thanks Rajitha, Glad you liked the photo...click on it to see a bigger version of the same. Thats really amazing

Tee, thanks re...Even I was reluctant to try this salad b4 but thought to change arugula with methi sprouts :)

Mansi said...

your orzo looks great padma! i think i might give it a try someday...

i watch Star VOI, and i was so sad that Toshi was voted out!! but u might not know about it:(

TBC said...

I too love Giada's recipes & have tried so many!
Your orzo looks very good. I like how you have given your own touch to her recipe:-)

Richa said...

u BIG II fan :)
orzo looks lovely.

Cynthia said...

What a beautiful picture of this dish to show off the ingredients with each standing well in its own light.

Priya said...

I love orzo and am also a fan of Giada's recipes. Will surely try this one, the flavors in it sound really good. Cool photos !

Anonymous said...

My goodness Padma! Amazing photo and unusual combination. I have never heard of methi sprouts. Cranberry and methi seems amazing.

Viji said...

Interesting recipe Padma. Viji

sra said...

That looks lovely, and an unusual mix of ingredients!

Lia said...

iam not able to seen the photo, but iam sure ur pasta will be great, since iam pasta lover *_*

Apple said...

Lovely recipe and a wonderful picture..looks so delicious n inviting

Sig said...

Simply breathtaking picture Padma.. who knew Orzo can look so good :)

Roopa said...

wow that looks very inviting. i haven't had this salad here but have been seeing in some blogs !

Rachna said...

lovely orzo recipe...

I was heartbroken when chang was voted out...he was MY indian idol... next best is offcourse ait paul...

FH said...

Orzo looks wonderful Padma. I have never seen Indian Idol but saw last year's winner on B4U, sings very well!:))
Enjoy both!

amna said...

such unique stuff i come to every day. have never heard of orzo.. didnt know poppy seeds and kuskus were same! am learning a lot :)

thanks for dropping by padma :)

Swaruchy said...

Nice one Padma.....looks very delicious dear.......:-)

Sharmi said...

this is a very new recipe to me! looks lovely. have to try it sometime.

Chef Jeena said...

Padma what a fantastic recipe I love your picture....I could just dip my spoon straight into that dish! :)

East Meets West Kitchen said...

I love orzo, and what a beautiful dish you have there! :)

Mishmash ! said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mishmash ! said...

Liked the simplicity of ingredients and the dish as such :)

Shn

Adhi Potoba said...

Hi Padma,

Thanks for visiting. I can't tell you how much I miss Vaishali. The orzo looks good, btw. Should make this for my girlfriend who is on a vegetarian kick. That should score some cheap points ;)

Kajal said...

I also see this show of Indian Idol. Enjoy this show very much really I like to see new talented people. Your Orzo looks delicious with lemon flavor and also healthy with sprouts methi.:)

Lissie said...

beautiful picture, padma! this is a wholesome meal in itself. never heard of orzo before. i too watch indian idol 3. my votes are for amit paul!

Anonymous said...

I too follow the show.ur pic is amazing and i was tempted so much than i saw it on show.i was trying to eat it out of screen greedy.....hah

Sreelu said...

Hey Padma, thanks for your comments on my blog, mee address ivvadi nenu dry chinta chiguru post chesatnu,that way you can enjoy, ofcourse intiki vaste too much untadi but for now i would love to post some for you

Sreelu

Athika said...

Hii padma, Lovely post. I havent used orzo before and this look delicious and easy to make.Will definately try it sometime.

KRISHNA said...

Padma,
Never tried Orzo,It looks so delicious and inviting ,
Thanks for visiting my blog:)

Bong Mom said...

You are an Indian Idol fan too ? I have been watching this season very intenytly too. I am really sad that it is going to end now.\
And Amit Paul is singing so well in these last rounds isn't he ? But I miss Emon :(

The orzo looks great, sorrry I kept rambling about II :)

Padma said...

Manasi, tx dear for ur lovely comments, try this and lmk, yeah even I was sad when Toshi was voted out...

TBC, Priya & Richa, u too Giada fan? wow ...
tx for stopping by and having my Orzo

Tx Cynthia, your comments are always heart warming!

Hey Redchillies, tx dear for ur lovely comments, yeah that is a unique combination ya!

Thanks Viji

Sra tx for coming here and tasting my Orzo (virtual, though)

Hey Lia am always so sorry that you are not able to check my photos.

Keerthi,Sig, Roopa, Asha tx 2 all of u...ur comments are such heart warming

Rachana, even I like Chang n I cried a lot when he was voted out :(

Thanks Nag, Sirisha, Sharmi, Jeena, EMWK, Adhi Potoba (AP), Kajal, Lissie, Ramya & Mishmash

Sreelu, that is so nice of u to send me that, I will let u know for sure, but I might visit India soon


Athika, Mamatha and Sandeepa, thanq u all for such kind words, Sandeepa I loved Emon too but I dont think Prashant is deserving one for II3 title, lets c what happens

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