Orzo Risotto Peas Mushrooms Community Member

Milk Street Community

Orzo Risotto with Peas and Mushrooms

Name: Orzo Risotto with Peas and Mushrooms
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 to 6 Servings
Ingredients: 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced; 1 medium shallot, chopped; 2 large thyme sprigs; Kosher salt and ground black pepper; 2 medium garlic cloves, minced; 3 tablespoons dry vermouth; 1 cup orzo; 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, divided; 1 cup frozen peas, thawed; 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

Adapted by Courtney Hill

4 to 6 Servings

40 minutes

Milk Street Facebook Community member Dianna Guarini Beach, of Jamison, Pennsylvania, combines thawed frozen peas with orzo and cremini mushrooms, plus aromatics and a shot of vermouth. Cooking the orzo as if making risotto—that is, by adding liquid in separate additions and stirring vigorously—yields a velvety, creamy consistency. Serve as a side to just about anything, or offer it as a light main with a salad alongside.

4 to 6

Servings

Tip

Don’t be shy about stirring the orzo as it simmers. Vigorous stirring helps release the pasta’s starch and create a creamy consistency. When stirring, make sure to scrape along the bottom and sides of the skillet to prevent sticking and uneven cooking.

40 minutes

Ingredients

⅓

cup extra-virgin olive oil
8

ounces cremini mushrooms, trimmed and thinly sliced

Directions

01

In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the mushrooms, shallot, thyme, ¼ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid released by the mushrooms has cooked off and the mushroom are browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the vermouth and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the pan is dry, about 2 minutes.

Reviews

Richard L.

December 18, 2023

So simple…

…yet so good. There were no crimini mushrooms at the market but baby portobello were. We’ll be making this again, soon!

Laura M.

Is the Vermouth essential to the success of this dish? Or could it be omitted or substituted?

Lynn C.

Hi Laura -

Although the flavor will be different, you can substitute with an equal amount of white wine or dry sherry. It can't be eliminated completely as you'll need some liquid to deglaze the pan. If you don't cook with alcohol, in that case, we would recommend adding a couple tablespoons of the chicken broth used in the recipe to loosen any browned bits from the pan.
Best,
The Milk Street Team

Orzo Risotto with Peas and Mushrooms

4 to 6

40 minutes

Ingredients

Directions

Log In

Or subscribe

Simple, Bold Recipes

Free Copy of Cookish

You Need to be a Milk Street Member to See the Full Recipe

Member Log In / Privacy Policy

You have already joined our email list!

We're having trouble signing you up to our newsletter at the moment, enjoy this recipe on us!

To begin signing up, please enter your email.