Friday, July 30, 2010

Saffron Orzo with Shrimp


I love Giada's recipes, as seen here and here.
I served it with sauteed green beans.


I made this recipe for Saffron Orzo with Shrimp from Giada's Everyday Pasta cookbook and it was fabulous! It was quick, easy, healthy, and so delicious. I substituted the orzo for Trader Joe's mixture of Israeli couscous, quinoa, orzo, and baby garbanzo beans and used shrimp that had already been cooked and cleaned (because that's what I had) and we loved it. I also used less olive oil (about 4 tablespoons). I'll definitely be making this again very soon. Here's the recipe if you'd like to try it. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Saffron Orzo with Shrimp
6 Servings

4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon saffron threads
1 pound orzo
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
juice of 1 lemon
3 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, bringing the broth to a simmer. Add the saffron, stir, and simmer until the saffron has "bloomed," about 5 minutes. Return the heat to medium and bring the stock to a boil, then add the orzo and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the orzo and transfer to a large bowl. Add 4 tablespoons of olive oil, the parsley, half the lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and combine thoroughly.

In a bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and the remaining lemon juice. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook until the shrimp are just turning pink, about 2 minutes per side. Add the shrimp to the bowl with the orzo. Toss to combine and serve.

50 comments:

Jaime said...

That looks yummy! I had to google ozro though I will admit - turns out is risoni - at least that's we call it down here.
Looks like it's dairy free too - a big winner at my place at the moment.

Erica said...

This looks amazing!!! I think I'm going to make this. Have a great weekend!

SabinePsynopsis said...

This looks so delicious. Perfect summer food!

Anonymous said...

That looks so good!

STYLE'N said...

This one resonates with me big time b/c I love orzo, saffron and shrimp. And I love Giada. I have Everyday Italian but maybe I need this cookbook too. One tip with saffron is to take the threads and soak them in a bit of water-the flavors intensify and really come through.
Have a fabulous weekend Valerie,
Naina

Unknown said...

OK YUMMMMMMMM - this WILL be made this weekend!!!!

Lisa Griffin said...

i really love the trader joe's israeli cous cous its delicious have a great weekend!
www.indramaticfashion.com

Lilacandgrey said...

looks DELISH!! I made something VERY similar once except without the saffron...

Petite Gorgeous said...

I like saffron and orzo. Great combination. My favorite dish is still paella :).

Nikki said...

Valerie, this looks so delicious! I have to find that mix from trader joe's!


Have a great weekend!

xx
Nikk

Ms. Emmy N said...

I love Giada too!! And that looks delicious! I haven't made anything of her's that wasn't though :) Thanks for sharing this recipe!

Also... just read your love story, so sweet! Who would think you could meet someone in Cabo? It seems as if fate brought you back together after allowing you the time you needed for yourself! Such cute pics too!

Anonymous said...

reminds me of the wonderful shrimp penne i had last night. and the three glasses of wine. whoops ;)

looks totally delish, dear.

xo

Lindsay said...

OH I love shrimp! You amaze me girl! Another one I have to save!

Audrey Allure said...

Mmm that looks delicious!

Gabriel said...

It was really delicious! I can't wait to have it again.

Marcie said...

This is seriously my favorite food post of yours yet (it helps that I am starving at it is only 8:51am). It looks delicious and I am all about anything with shrimp. Jimmy will love it!

Have a great weekend!
Marcie

Oh, My Darling said...

Ooh, majorly delicious!

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

This. looks. incredible. And I bet you and your sweetie were lucky enough to have left overs!

Marie said...

I love love love this dish!!!:D

Have a great weekend, Valerie!:D

http://allthingsmarie.blogspot.com/
Beauty. Fashion. Interior Design.
& Life According to Marie.

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

Sounds/looks yummy! I love Giada recipes. Happy weekend!

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Ummm yummm!!! Thanks for sharing honey. This looks amazing and I'll have to give it a shot real soon. I've been needing to spice up my cooking a little. Been bored lately.

Have a great weekend!

Josie said...

Ummm, dying. This looks spectacular! I honestly wish I could cook as well as you; your dishes always look flawless! Have a fab weekend, my love!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

k said...

this looks so good!
have a great weekend lady!

this free bird said...

Valerie this looks awesome. And I love the green beans on the side. Looks so tasty!! mmmmshrimp!

Hope you have a great weekend,
Carrie
i hope his mother never looks on here!! yikes!

Alicia Lund said...

Yum Valerie!!! This dish looks so yummy, I love shrimp! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend ;)

paddle to shore said...

I think Orzo is my new favorite thing. I've been lots of Orzo since moving to LA, especially from Whole foods, they have a really great greek/orzo salad

paddle to shore said...

oops! *Eating

georgia ~ gi gi said...

Valerie you and Marcie should start a catering business :) I am telling ya, you two could make a killin'
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Big Smoochies
gi gi

torrie said...

That looks delicious!!! I love cooking with saffron because of the way it 'magically' colors the dish at the same time as flavoring it.

And BTW- I think it is so very cute that your husband comments on your blog each day. I always look forward to reading his comments after I read your posts! What a great way to show his support of you:).

Have a wonderful weekend shopping/dining @ the new mall!!

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

My stomach is literally growling after reading this. No joke hehe! Looks so delish!

Connie @ SogniESorrisi said...

This looks really great! Happy weekend!

Stephanie said...

Oh my, that looks simply delicious! I love Giada and her show Everyday Italian :)

Kisses,
Stephanie

Leia said...

I've never heard of orzo! Looks good!

Leia

erica said...

Wow that looks so good, and I dont even like shrimp! I will have to make it for the boy!

xo

Marta said...

it looks delicious. thank for sharing with the recipe! i'll definitely try this at home!

stylenuggets said...

Love cooking with shrimp but never tried ourzo, perhaps its time to try it now!

hiyaluv said...

your recipes always make me so hungry even if i have already had dinner! this looks amazing;)
smiles,
gina

Lila said...

I love Giada too.

I am having my first giveaway, come check it out.
http://bellagetsreal.blogspot.com/2010/07/combining-my-blog-giveaway.html

Elaine said...

That looks amazing!!!!

clothed much, a modest fashion blog

Jen said...

Yup, definately going to have to make this receipe this week! Trader Joes, here I come!

Anna Walker said...

Yummmm looks so delish! :)

JMay said...

This looks fantastic & healthy too :-)

Unknown said...

Mmmm def will have to try this, looks just delicious:-)

Love your blog too!!!

Poppies and Sunshine said...

This looks incredible! I haven't had much of an appetite lately, but this made me hungry! I love shrimp!

Diana Mieczan said...

That looks amazing...We had sea food last night....I will have to make this, one of those nights...Yummy:) Thanks,darling

Bren said...

This looks so good Valerie! The second I have a chance to cook again, this is the first thing I'm making!

xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty

Kate's Rant said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kate's Rant said...

Oh my God Val!! It looks amazing. I hope you make this again soon indeed and invite your recipe-challenged friends over to help you eat it! xoxo

Kristin W said...

Yum! I definitely want to try that recipe! It seems healthy enough too! Thanks for the recipe :)

Jessica said...

Yum!! I need to clear my schedule to try out all your featured recipes, they look so good!