Shrimp with Orzo Pasta

One of my favorite recipes is my Shrimp with Orzo Pasta. This recipe is filled with plump juicy shrimp. Instead of using rice I use orzo pasta as my starch and it gives this recipe an unexpected twist. I started cooking with orzo pasta a few years ago and I find it to be one of my favorite pasta’s. It reminds me of rice but has a different texture and flavor. If you like rice you will love orzo. The miniature size pieces of pasta, makes a beautiful presentation and it is easy to eat with a spoon or fork. I created this recipe by adding ingredients from my spice rack, pantry and herb garden. My family and friends ask for it every chance they get. This recipe feeds 8 easily unless you have some hefty eaters. If so, you may want to double the recipe or throw a few extra shrimp in the skillet. Try this recipe for your next surprise dinner. You can’t go wrong with pasta and shrimp.

Enjoy,

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs. (large) shrimp. (peeled, deveined, tails off)

1 lb. Orzo pasta

1 teaspoon of turmeric

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (plus additional salt for cooking pasta)

1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup pine nuts

1 medium onion finely chopped

1 large shallot chopped

3 cloves of garlic minced

3 sprigs fresh tarragon

1 bunch of asparagus cut into 1 inch pieces

3 tbs. olive oil

Fresh or dried chopped dill for garnish

Paprika for garnish

Directions:

In a 4 quart pot, bring water and salt to a boil. Add pasta, turmeric, and tarragon sprigs to the water. Cook pasta until done. Do not over cook. Drain pasta. Do not rinse. Place the pasta back into the pot and drizzle with olive oil stir pasta slightly to coat and keep it from sticking together. Cover and set side. The pasta will keep warm while you prepare the shrimp. Rinse and Drain shrimp. Salt and pepper shrimp to taste. Set aside. In a large sauté skillet, coat bottom of pan generously with olive oil. Heat oil on medium. Add onions and shallots and sauté until translucent. Add asparagus, pine nuts and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté vegetables for 6 to 8 minutes. Add shrimp and stir ingredients together to coat shrimp. Sauté until shrimp is pink in color. Do not over cook. Place pasta on a large platter. Pour shrimp over pasta and garnish with paprika and dill.