Orzo with Shrimp and Veggies

A complete meal in one dish.

This is a complete meal in one dish. I used to make this after a 12-hour work day to feed hungry kids…in less than an hour. If you can get the shrimp marinating ahead of time, this comes together very quickly.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 1/4 cup white wine

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely

• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

• Salt

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 1 1/2 cup orzo

• fennel seeds

• chili pepper flakes

• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth

• 2 cups assorted veggies roughly chopped

  (asparagus, squash, red pepper)

• 1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme

• 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil

Instructions

Marinate the shrimp in the olive oil, 1/4 cup white wine (reserve the rest for later), garlic, cayenne pepper, and salt for one hour.

Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons butter and stir in 1 1/2 cups orzo. Let the orzo cook for a few minutes in the butter. Add a touch of fennel seeds and chili pepper flakes. Add 2 1/2 cups chicken broth and 1 cup white wine. Stir and reduce.

Add the shrimp and the marinade along with about 2 cups of assorted veggies. After the veggies and shrimp are lightly cooked, add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, the juice of a lemon along with about 1 teaspoon of lemon zest. Toss in 2 teaspoons fresh thyme and 1/2 cup fresh roughly chopped basil.