Do you love the taste of sweet, fresh late Summer corn as much as I do? Well, if you do, then this creamy Summer Harvest Orzo is for you. I was actually really surprised because my kids gobbled it up just as much as I did. We were literally standing around the pot eating it all together. It was that good!
We all need new and exciting side dishes, am I right? This creamy Summer Harvest Orzo is an amazing, seasonal, delicious and quick side dish. It is such a great way to use up and enjoy all of the late summer produce that is right there for the picking.
Why is this called Creamy Summer Harvest Orzo?
Well, first and foremost, it is creamy! It is almost like an orzo risotto. The texture of the orzo is almost rice like and the creaminess from the starch in the orzo and the little bit of heavy cream at the end is perfect.
The Summer Harvest part is because it has all of the best late summer veggies in it. There is the best sweet corn, perfect vine ripened tomatoes and fresh aromatic basil.
What do you need to make this Creamy Summer Harvest Orzo?
You do not need much and it is super quick to come together. It works perfectly as a side to chicken, because it cooks in the time you can roast or cook up some chicken thighs or chicken cutlets.
Orzo-Â This is pretty obvious. I always like to have orzo in the pantry, it is a great side dish and super versatile.
Roasted Tomatoes-Â You can use a can of roasted tomatoes here, but I love to you garden fresh or vine ripened cherries. Toss them with olive oil, garlic gloves, basil, salt and pepper and roast them in the oven. I usually have them in my fridge this time of year. They are great in and with so many things.
Garlic-Â You can never have too much garlic, can you?
Sweet Corn-Â You can use frozen here, it is picked and frozen in the peak of freshness. Yet, since it is so in season right now, especially in the Midwest, I love to just cut it right off the Cobb
Shallots-Â I always have shallots on hand. They are a great aromatic in so many dishes, but you can use a little bit of red onion if that is what you have on hand
Stock-Â I love either chicken or veggie stock in here. If you want to keep it completely vegetarian, use veggie stock. If you are pairing it with chicken, use chicken stock. Just always use a low sodium stock if it is not homemade. We want to control the salt we add into our food
Basil-Â Fresh basil only here, not dried. It will completely change the flavor of the dish
Kosher salt-Â You know me… it is the only salt I use
Freshly Cracked Black Pepper-Â Get a pepper grinder, it really makes a world of difference in your dishes
Heavy Cream-Â You do not need to use this if you want to keep this a vegan dish, but it certainly makes it creamier and more luscious. You can sub out a vegan yogurt if you want here
Other Side dishes you may love if you like this Creamy Summer Harvest Orzo
If this is a dish that suits you, try these amazing side dishes as well. Also, check out my crispy chicken thighs, they pair perfectly together.
Chef’s Tips
This dish is pretty simple to make and it is definitely a side dish or even main course with a salad on the side that would be found in your favorite restaurant. It is seasonal, light, creamy, intense in flavor and pairs well with a lot of different main dishes.
The biggest thing to remember here is that you want to build layers of flavors. That is what is going to set your dish and really your cooking apart. So, really take the extra minute to make sure you are starting with quality ingredients. Roast the tomatoes yourself ahead if you can. Cook the aromatics,(garlic and shallots), first to let them open up. Then add in the veggies to let them begin to release there flavors and juices. Then the orzo to cook in the stock like risotto and slowly release that starch. Finish with the heavy cream and always check for seasoning as you go. You will be amazed with this dish in the end. ENJOY!
Equipment for making this Creamy Summer Harvest Orzo
A good saute pan-Â I love a good enamel pan for this. It holds the heat and cooks evenly, which doesn’t burn the bottom. Here is my favorite one.
Rubber spatulas-Â I use rubber spatulas in the kitchen more than maybe any other tool, except my knife and cutting board. I cook both savory and sweet items using a rubber spatula. I love stirring things like this orzo and risotto with a rubber spatula. Here are my favorite ones, I love that they are high heat proof
Cutting Board-Â I cannot speak enough about how important it is to have a great cutting board. I love the epicurean boards because they can go in the dishwasher and they last forever. They barely get cut marks in them and they are made from recycled and composted materials.
Creamy Summer Harvest Orzo
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 1-2 ears fresh summer corn cut off the cobb
- 1 pint or 1 container vine ripened cherry tomatoes roasted with garlic, olive oil and basil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small shallot minced
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 2 1/4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- small bunch fresh basil chiffanade
Instructions
- In a heavy bottom saute pan, heat a little olive oil, just to lightly coat the pan. Add in garlic and shallots, make sure the heat is not too high as to not burn the garlic. Saute for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add in the corn and season with salt and pepper and saute for another 2-3 minutes. Add in the roasted tomatoes, just heat through. Add in the orzo, season with salt and pepper and cook for 2-4 minutes to lightly toast the orzo.
- Slowly drizzle in the stock, stirring while you add in the stock. Continue to stir occasionally while the orzo cooks. Let the stock come to a simmer, not a boil. Stirring while the orzo cooks. Once the stock has incorporated about 3/4 of the way into the orzo, then you will add in the heavy cream and season again with salt and pepper. Stir in the heavy cream.
- Add in the butter, Parmesan cheese and the fresh basil. Stir everything together and check for seasoning. If it needs more salt and/or pepper, add it in and mix through. ENJOY!
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