What is orzo?
Orzo is a short-cut pasta resembling long-grain rice in shape. It is made from flour, like usual pasta. Often, orzo is made with semolina (durum wheat used for making pasta).
How to cook orzo?
Cook orzo in a 1:2 ratio (1 cup of orzo with 2 cups of chicken stock or water) for about 10 minutes on a low boil (simmer) – medium-low heat. All the water (or chicken stock) should get absorbed by the orzo. You might have to add extra liquid (about ¼ cup, sometimes more), if the heat is too high, and some water evaporates, leaving the orzo undercooked. The properly cooked orzo should have a soft texture, just like regular cooked pasta.
Best kind of shrimp to use
Buy large raw shrimp that is preferably already peeled and deveined. Tiny shrimp tend to overcook faster and just don’t look as presentable as larger shrimp. This recipe uses 1.5 lb large raw shrimp (peeled and deveined) which usually equates to 16 or 20 count. Remove the tails. I don’t like shrimp with tails as I like to eat shrimp with a fork and knife and not with my fingers.
Helpful tips for properly cooking shrimp
Use large raw shrimp, not small kind. Also, do not use pre-cooked small shrimp. When you use large raw shrimp and cook it with spices, you get so many more juices and so much more flavor! Using larger shrimp also makes a beautiful presentation.
With raw shrimp, make sure it’s peeled and deveined.
Take the tails off. It’s easier and less messy to eat the shrimp with a fork and knife instead of picking up the shrimp out of the creamy sauce by the tail. So, I recommend removing the tails.
Do not overcook shrimp. Cook it for only about 2 minutes per side, just until it turns pink in color. Overcooking the shrimp will result in a rubbery texture.
Space out the shrimp in the skillet when searing. This will ensure that shrimp actually gets seared and not steamed. Also, watch the cooking times closely not to overcook the shrimp. You might have to cook in batches.
Can you make it gluten-free?
Make this recipe gluten-free by using orzo clearly labeled as “gluten-free”. Or, simply use long-grain rice instead.
Can you make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free, vegan feta cheese instead of regular feta.
Greek Shrimp with Orzo, Feta, Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes – in a cast iron skillet.
What is orzo?
Orzo is a short-cut pasta resembling long-grain rice in shape. It is made from flour, like usual pasta. Often, orzo is made with semolina (durum wheat used for making pasta).
How to cook orzo?
Cook orzo in a 1:2 ratio (1 cup of orzo with 2 cups of chicken stock or water) for about 10 minutes on a low boil (simmer) – medium-low heat. All the water (or chicken stock) should get absorbed by the orzo. You might have to add extra liquid (about ¼ cup, sometimes more), if the heat is too high, and some water evaporates, leaving the orzo undercooked. The properly cooked orzo should have a soft texture, just like regular cooked pasta.
Best kind of shrimp to use
Buy large raw shrimp that is preferably already peeled and deveined. Tiny shrimp tend to overcook faster and just don’t look as presentable as larger shrimp. This recipe uses 1.5 lb large raw shrimp (peeled and deveined) which usually equates to 16 or 20 count. Remove the tails. I don’t like shrimp with tails as I like to eat shrimp with a fork and knife and not with my fingers.
Helpful tips for properly cooking shrimp
Use large raw shrimp, not small kind. Also, do not use pre-cooked small shrimp. When you use large raw shrimp and cook it with spices, you get so many more juices and so much more flavor! Using larger shrimp also makes a beautiful presentation.
With raw shrimp, make sure it’s peeled and deveined.
Take the tails off. It’s easier and less messy to eat the shrimp with a fork and knife instead of picking up the shrimp out of the creamy sauce by the tail. So, I recommend removing the tails.
Do not overcook shrimp. Cook it for only about 2 minutes per side, just until it turns pink in color. Overcooking the shrimp will result in a rubbery texture.
Space out the shrimp in the skillet when searing. This will ensure that shrimp actually gets seared and not steamed. Also, watch the cooking times closely not to overcook the shrimp. You might have to cook in batches.
Can you make it gluten-free?
Make this recipe gluten-free by using orzo clearly labeled as “gluten-free”. Or, simply use long-grain rice instead.
Can you make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free, vegan feta cheese instead of regular feta.
Greek Shrimp with Orzo, Feta, Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes – in a cast iron skillet.
