Olive And Mozzarella Orzo

Serves: 2

Catharine Rutherford

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

61

Spice

43

Sweetness

39

Sourness

34

mins

Prep time (avg)

6.3

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1.5 cups

Onion (chopped)

2 tbsps

Olive Oil

2 tbsps

Unsalted Butter

450 g

Kalamata

1360 g

Mozzarella

Directions:

1

In a kettle of boiling salted water boil the orzo until it is al dente, drain it well, and transfer it to a large bowl

2

In a large heavy skillet cook the onion in the oil and the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the celery, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 5 minutes

3

Stir in the flour, cook the mixture, stirring, for 3 minutes, and stir in the broth, the tomatoes, chopping them with a spoon, the basil, and the cayenne

4

Simmer the mixture, stirring, for 5 minutes, stir it into the orzo with the olives, 1/2 pound of the mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch dice, and salt to taste, and transfer the mixture to a shallow 2-quart baking dish

5

Cut the remaining 1/4 pound mozzarella into thin strips and arrange it decoratively on top of the orzo

6

The orzo may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled

7

Bake the orzo in the middle of a preheated 400°F

8

Oven for 30 minutes, or until it is heated through and slightly crisp on top

9

In a kettle of boiling salted water boil the orzo until it is al dente, drain it well, and transfer it to a large bowl

10

In a large heavy skillet cook the onion in the oil and the butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the celery, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 5 minutes

11

Stir in the flour, cook the mixture, stirring, for 3 minutes, and stir in the broth, the tomatoes, chopping them with a spoon, the basil, and the cayenne

12

Simmer the mixture, stirring, for 5 minutes, stir it into the orzo with the olives, 1/2 pound of the mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch dice, and salt to taste, and transfer the mixture to a shallow 2-quart baking dish

13

Cut the remaining 1/4 pound mozzarella into thin strips and arrange it decoratively on top of the orzo

14

The orzo may be prepared up to this point 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled

15

Bake the orzo in the middle of a preheated 400°F

16

Oven for 30 minutes, or until it is heated through and slightly crisp on top