Elegant Orzo with Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts Recipe
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Elegant Orzo with Wilted Spinach and Pine Nuts

By: ASCALESE 
"Orzo pasta with wilted spinach, feta cheese, tomatoes, and balsamic vinegar - goes well with fish or chicken."

Prep Time:
15 Min
Cook Time:
15 Min
Ready In:
30 Min

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 8 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked orzo
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup pine nuts
  • 1 (10 ounce) bag baby spinach
  • 1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 (8 ounce) package crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 fresh tomato, chopped
  • salt to taste

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. (Firm or slightly undercooked orzo works best for this dish.) Drain, transfer to a mixing bowl, and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium high heat, stirring to blend. Stir in garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, and reduce heat to medium. Stir in pine nuts and cook until lightly browned. Add spinach, cover, and cook on low heat for 5 minutes, or until spinach is wilted.
  3. Toss spinach mixture with orzo pasta. Portion onto serving plates with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of crumbled feta cheese and chopped tomatoes. Allow guests to adjust seasoning with salt, as needed. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 550 | Total Fat: 32.5g | Cholesterol: 33mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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 view all reviews »  

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 25, 2006 by ANJA   view full review
I thought this was wonderful. It was very tasty and fun to make. My advice to anyone who makes...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 13, 2009 by naples34102 Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
This was a hit and a miss in our house. I liked the idea of the feta, but not hubs, so I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on May 8, 2005 by Mark P   view full review
Very good. I tried this recipe to use up some extra pine nuts and I wasn't just pleasantly...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 16, 2004 by WebsByMegan Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
Elegant is right! Really easy to make and it tasted gourmet! I had tomato/basil feta which...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 5, 2005 by Julie1271   view full review
This recipe was great! Only additions were capers, sundried tomatoes and black olives! YUM!
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 9, 2006 by marniecat   view full review
I've made this about six times now and I find myself looking forward to it each time. Other...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on Apr. 20, 2006 by Kelly Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
Absolutely first rate! Follow other reviewers advice and cut way back on the fats - 2...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 7, 2006 by myla   view full review
This recipe was great. I didn't have any orzo on hand, so substituted it with Basmati rice and...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on Sep. 1, 2006 by MONTYHOUSE   view full review
I'm in the "just okay" camp. Definitely needs some more zip. After the pine nuts and spinach...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.5 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 21, 2006 by Foodie   view full review
This is a good recipe. In my opinion you need more seasoning. I make another orzo pasta which...

 

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