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Orzo Pilaf with Lemon and Dill
This Orzo Pilaf recipe with lemon and dill features orzo toasted in brown butter for and easy, flavor-packed Greek side dish.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 237 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Greek
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter divided
- 3 green onions white and green parts, thinly sliced
- 1 cup orzo
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon about 1 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock or vegetable stock, or water in a pinch
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- In a medium or large pot with a lid, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat (optional: brown the butter for a boost of toasty flavor). Add the chopped green onions (white and green parts, reserving a few green parts for garnish if desired) and sauté over medium heat until softened a bit (about 2 minutes).
- Add the orzo (1 cup) and the lemon zest (about 1 teaspoon) and stir to coat in the butter. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes, until orzo is slightly toasted from the butter.
- Add the chicken stock (2 cups), the kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon), and the black pepper (1/4 teaspoon). Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer on low until all liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally (about 10 minutes).
- Turn off heat and stir in the lemon juice (about 2 tablespoons), the fresh chopped dill (2 tablespoons), and the remaining 1 tablespoon butter until butter is melted.
- Season to taste and serve, garnished with more dill and green onions, if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- For a vegan version, use a vegan butter substitute or olive oil.
- For a dairy free version, use any vegan substitute or ghee instead of butter.
- Ingredient substitutions: parboiled rice may be substituted for half or all of the orzo, parsley may be substituted for the dill, yellow (or similar) onion may be substituted for green onions.
Nutrition Information
Calories
237kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
30g
(10%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Cholesterol
23mg
(8%)
Sodium
405mg
(17%)
Potassium
210mg
(6%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
368IU
(7%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
22mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 237
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 237kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 23mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 405mg | 17% |
| Potassium | 210mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 368IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 22mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.