Prawn orzo 

A photograph of Prawn orzo 
Prep Time: 15-20 mins
Cook Time: 20-25 mins
Skill Level: Medium
Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 150g pack raw peeled large prawns
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 250g orzo pasta
  • 500ml reduced-salt vegetable stock
  • 125g pack asparagus tips, thinly sliced
  • 1 large handful herbs e.g. coriander, basil, parsley or a mix
  • 1 tbsp pine nuts
  • Small chunk parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice ½ lemon, plus wedges to serve
  • Salt and pepper

Cooking Steps

  1. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a pan. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes on a low to medium heat until softened.
  2. Add the orzo and stock, stir well and bring to a simmer. Leave to cook for 8 minutes, stirring a couple of times.
  3. Meanwhile, make the pesto. Put the herbs, pine nuts, parmesan and 1 tbsp of the extra virgin olive oil in a mini blender or the small bowl of a food processor. Roughly blitz then add a little more olive oil if needed, with the lemon juice and seasoning to taste. (You can also use a stick blender or a pestle and mortar).
  4. Check on the orzo. Add a little more stock or water if needed. Add the prawns and asparagus and continue cooking for a few more minutes until the prawns turn pink and are cooked.
  5. Check the orzo for seasoning. Serve in bowls with the pesto dotted on the top or swirled through, with lemon wedges on the side.

Nutritional information per serving

Calories 814kcal
Fat 29.3g
Saturates 5.9g
Carbs 105.6g
Sugars 9.8g
Fibre 9.7g
Protein 38.5g
Salt 2.6g