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What is Orzo and How to Cook It?

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Orzo is a type of rice-shaped pasta that you can cook and use in the same way you make rice. This means that you can boil it while the liquid is being absorbed, cook it in risotto or use it to make pilaf.

And since this is pasta, you can also prepare it using the traditional pasta method, where when you’re done, you squeeze out the excess liquid.

Like other types of pasta (and rice), you can serve it hot or cold, as a side dish and as a component in stews, soups, and salads. Orzo is usually available in a basic pale yellow color, but there is also a tricolor variety.

Orzo is not a type of grain. This is a form of pasta, which means it is made from wheat. So, if you follow a gluten-free diet, then orzo is not for you.

Cooking methods

Orzo is a small paste. As such, the cooking methods for this type of pasta (just like riceselect.com/product/orzo) are quite simple. However, there are numerous variables in cooking orzo, including how tightly the lid of the cooking pot closes.

Pasta method

This is the standard cooking method for all pasta. After cooking, drain the liquid, add oil or olive oil and serve.

Cooked rice method

In this method, orzo is prepared in the same way as rice, or in other words, mixed with cold water in a saucepan. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed. Note that this way you can prepare other types of pasta, especially long pasta such as spaghetti.

Risotto method

Risotto is prepared by stewing raw rice in butter, together with onions and other aromatic products, then prepared by adding hot water, and stirring constantly until all the liquid is completely absorbed, before adding more ingredients.

This is exactly how you would prepare orzo using the risotto method. The risotto method attracts starch to the orzo, which makes it creamy.

Pilaf method

The pilaf method is a combination of the cooked rice method and the risotto method. First, fry the orzo in a little olive oil (or other fat) along with a little chopped onion, then add hot water, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and then transfer the whole thing to the oven, where it will cook for about 20 minutes or until the whole fluid is absorbed. Turkish pilaf with orzo uses a combination of rice and orzo, prepared by the pilaf method.

Orzo in salads

Orzo is a wonderful ingredient used in salads and works just as well as rice or pasta. Try replacing it in your favorite pasta salad and you will be impressed by the result.