My Favourite Pasta Recipes
There are many cultivated varieties of garden or green peas, Pisum sativum. Only about 5% of the peas grown are sold fresh. The rest are either canned or frozen. I prefer frozen peas because they retain their colour, texture and flavour, better, compared to the canned ones. They are also much easier to store (in the freezer). Peas have extremely low levels of fat, and high levels of fibre, so make a great ingredient for skinny recipes.
The recipe I want to share today is one of my go to recipes when I’m feeling sluggish but still want to eat a decent meal. If you don’t want to use canned tomatoes you can use three to four medium tomatoes. You can vary the fresh herbs to suit your palate and availability. Dried herbs can also be used especially thyme, rosemary or oregano, because they tend to retain their aroma, even after drying. I used 35% cream but you can substitute it with table cream (18%) if you wish. The dish tasted very nice. It’s a recipe I make several times in a month. I hope you’ll like it too!
- Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons (45g) butter or margarine
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic pressed
- 1 x 540ml (19 fl oz) can diced tomatoes or an equivalent of skinned, seeded and diced fresh tomatoes (4 medium tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or basil) or finely chopped fresh herbs
- 1 bouillon cube (I added aurora mixed vegetable)
- 60ml (¼ cup) water or stock
- 400g (2 cups fully packed) orzo
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup whipping cream (35% cream)
- ½-1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (I used Pecorino Romano cheese)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Please always remember to assemble ingredients before you start
Melt butter in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft (do not brown).
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian style seasoning, bouillon cube, freshly ground pepper and water or stock.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Meanwhile cook orzo in plenty of salted water according to packet instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
Add peas and cream to tomato sauce. Increase heat and bring to the boil, stirring until piping hot.
Mix in orzo,
remove from heat and stir in half the cheese. Adjust seasoning.
Serve topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
It tasted very nice. Hope you’ll love it too!
Orzo with Tomato and Peas
Preparation time: 15 minutes; Cooking Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 6-8 side dishes
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45g) butter or margarine
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic pressed
- 1 x 540ml (19 fl oz) can diced tomatoes or an equivalent of skinned, seeded and diced fresh tomatoes (4 medium tomatoes)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or basil) or finely chopped fresh herbs
- 1 bouillon cube (I added aurora mixed vegetable)
- 60ml (¼ cup) water or stock
- 400g (2 cups fully packed) orzo
- 1 cup frozen peas
- ¼ cup whipping cream (35% cream)
- ½-1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (I used Pecorino Romano cheese)
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet or pan over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic and cook for 5-7 minutes until soft (do not brown).
- Add tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian style seasoning, bouillon cube, freshly ground pepper and water or stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile cook orzo in plenty of salted water according to packet instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly.
- Add peas and cream to tomato sauce. Increase heat and bring to the boil, stirring until piping hot. Mix in orzo, remove from heat and stir in half the cheese. Adjust seasoning. Serve topped with grated cheese.
Points to Note:
- If using fresh herbs, please add at the end of cooking just before serving.
- Delicious served with grilled fish or roast chicken as a side
myfavouritepastime.com
My Favourite Pastime 
Oh does this look dangerously delicious to me! This is the kind of meal in which my self control goes out the door. In fact, the self control tries to step in, but a swift kick by me.. And out the door it goes! Yum. This is right up my alley.. 🙂
Hi there!
It tasted very nice and I’ve made it several times. I’m glad you like it and hope you find time to try it. Have a wonderful week. We had a long weekend so I’ve lost sense of time!!!
Liz
We have had whole wheat orzo with tomatoes from the garden several times. I should remember to add frozen peas next time! Thanks! Enjoy the weekend.
Hi Mama D,
It tasted very nice. I really enjoyed eating it. Next time throw in some peas. I’m sure you’ll love it!!!
Liz
The use of canned and frozen ingredients really makes this a useful recipe. Of course, fresh can be substituted for canned, but it makes a great base recipe. Have a great day.
Hi again Lignum,
I love frozen peas, frozen corn, frozen mixed veggies.They make life so much easier. I am not sure that I love frozen fruit, not my preference.. Enjoy the weekend!
Liz
Interesting combination Liz. Very colourful too. I’m with you on the frozen green peas, if I add them to a recipe, I do it at the last minute so they retain their colour and vitality. As a kid I hated green peas, fortunately for me, our dog liked them! LOL It’s nice to see meatless recipes, I get tired of meat sometimes and just want the taste of vegetables and I love pastas! How’s your week going so far?
Hi Sandy,
Ha ha I can imagine you keeping your hands under the table and trying to feed the eager dog some peas…my daughter used to throw food she doesn’t like behind a movable cupboard we had in the dining room. One day I pulled it to do some cleaning and was pretty shocked to see pieces of this and that. I didn’t have a dog so the cupboard was feed to the hilt. Have a great weekend!
Liz
looks perfect for a summer night!!
Oh yes I agree. Enjoy your weekend.
Liz
It looks so appetizing! I’m sure it’s perfect for sluggish, moody time. 😀
I usually have some rice porridge when I feel sluggish, lazy or just want to have a slow, relaxed day. 😀
http://instagram.com/p/pEFhsSwF_e/?modal=true
Hi Hari,
It’s perfect for my sluggish days which are usually 4 our of seven days (LOL).. Let me check out the rice porridge! Have a fantastic weekend
Liz
I will make this but will add fried smoked bacon pieces to here,…double yum! 🙂 x
I think that’s an excellent idea. Smoked bacon will really enhance the flavour. Next time I shall try out too!
Liz
😉 yeah! 🙂
This orzo looks delicious! Well done! 🙂
Thank you,
Liz
You are welcome! 🙂
Best wishes,
Alice
Flavorful dish
Thank you!
Liz
Delish! Also, I really appreciate the tidbit about only 5% of the peas sold are in the fresh state. Good fact of the day!
Thanks so much. I wish you a fantastic week!
Liz
Smacks piggy lips – that looks amazing my friend. XOXO – Bacon
Thanks, miss piggy. It’s delicious!
Liz