Shrimp & Pea Orzo

Submitted by hipQuest

"A very easy, creamy pasta that is surprisingly low in fat. I was trying to use fresh green peas and shrimp. This is what resulted..."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb orzo pasta
• 1 large sweet onion, finely diced
• 1 lb shrimp, cooked and cleaned
• 1⁄2 lb peas (fresh or frozen)
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1⁄4 - 1⁄2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1⁄2 lb lowfat mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1⁄4 cup half-and-half
• salt and pepper, to taste
• parmesan cheese (to garnish)

directions

1. Set water on to boil for the orzo.
2. Chop onion and garlic finely and saute in a bit of olive oil til translucent.
3. Cook orzo to package directions, add peas the last couple of minutes of cooking.
4. Drain and return to pot. Place on burner on low heat. Add cooked shrimp and stir.
5. Add half-and-half, stir in cheese, onion/garlic and fresh basil. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Enjoy!
7. Any leftovers freeze quite well. This also makes a nice side dish.

Reviews

[Penny Stettinius]

hipQuest, Wow, what subtle delicious flavors! I served this dish twice, once with the shrimp which I first sauteed in butter and Creole seasoning and once without the shrimp as a side dish with grilled Cornish game hens. My favorite was without the shrimp because the flavor of the basil and cream is so delicate it's almost a shame to add anything because it's perfect. But DH liked it with the spicy sauteed shrimp! Hence the 5+stars. Made with fat free half&half and used a 1/2 cup wine which I cooked down before adding the cream and added Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Made and reviewed for Fall PAC 2008.