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Trattore Farms

Trattore Estate Wines & Dry Creek Olive Company

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Orzo

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Orzo
Recipe Date:
April 1, 2023
Serving Size:
4
Cook Time:
00:20:00
Difficulty:
Easy
Measurements:
Imperial (US)
Orzo is simmered in broth and stirred while it cooks so that its natural starches release, which, when combined with grated Parmesan and a bit of butter, gives every bite a velvety texture.
Ingredients
  • 3 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 ozs Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1 firmly packed cup grated on a Microplane or 2/3 cup store-bought)
  • 1 medium shallot
  • 1 small lemon
  • 2 tablespoons Dry Creek Olive Co Miller's Blend or Three Orchards Blend olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups dried orzo pasta (10 ounces)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (Trattore Estate Viognier - have a glass while you cook!)
  • 1 (12-ounce) bag frozen artichoke hearts
  • 5 ozs baby spinach (about 5 packed cups)
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Directions
  1. Place 3 cups of low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat and maintain a bare simmer. Meanwhile, finely grate 2 ounces of Parmesan cheese (about 1 packed cup). Mince 1 medium shallot. Finely grate the zest of 1 small lemon, then halve the lemon.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, high-sided sauté pan or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering.
  3. Add the shallot and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups orzo, season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add 1/2 cup dry white wine, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon, and simmer until the wine has evaporated and the pan is almost dry, about 1 minute.
  5. Begin incrementally adding the broth a 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly between each addition. Wait until the liquid has been almost completely absorbed by the orzo before adding the next 1/2 cup.
  6. When about half of the broth has been added, stir in bag of frozen artichokes. Continue adding more broth, a 1/2 cup at a time, and cook until all the broth is absorbed and the orzo is creamy and tender. The orzo will need 12 to 15 minutes of total cooking time.
  7. Remove from the heat. Stir 5 ounces of baby spinach, a few handfuls at a time, until just wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Squeeze the juice from the reserved lemon halves into the orzo. Add the reserved zest, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, half of the grated cheese, and stir to combine. Taste and season with more kosher salt as needed. Serve immediately with the remaining grated cheese for topping as desired.